This voracious usage has also increased the risk of online scams, banking frauds, cheating, etc. Thus there is a need for a forum where a person can file their complaint if they have been cheated or duped while doing any online transactions. Such complaints come under Cyber Crime Complaints in India. Let us know more about the cyber crime before learning how to file a complaint. ALSO READ: How to file a complaint in a consumer court in India? Read on to know everything about it
Defining Cyber Crime
Cyber Crime is any criminal activity that involves a computer, networked device, or a network. This may harm someone’s security and financial health. These are called white collar crimes and cyber cell departments have been set up by the GOI in almost every state in India, which specialize in dealing with these cyber complaints.
Types of Cyber Crimes
There are a number of cyber crimes but the 6 main ones that have been identified by the cyber cell are-
Cyber Stalking– It is the use of the internet or other electronic means to stalk or harass any individual, group, or organization. It can include false accusations, defamation, slander, and libel. It may also include monitoring, identity theft, threats, vandalism, and more.
Hacking- An act of compromising digital devices and networks through unauthorized access to any account or computer system. When a person breaks into somebody else’s computer virtually to have access to a person’s personal and sensitive information like banking details, email accounts, etc.
Cyber Bullying- This includes sending posting or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation.
Online Theft– When the criminal exports the money of their victim, access the data of the victim’s personal bank account, credit card, debit card, and other sensitive information over the internet.
Cyber Terrorism- It is the convergence of cyberspace and terrorism. It refers to unlawful attacks and threats of attacks against computers, networks, and information stored therein when done to intimidate or coerce a government or its people in furtherance of political or social objectives.
Child soliciting and abuse- When a child is solicited over the internet for the purpose of making child pornography.
Apart from these, Phishing, Software privacy and denial of service attacks are also some other types of cyber crimes.
Online Theft- My Story
Before we move further and learn about filing cyber complaints, let us look at a case of online theft that was experienced personally. Once a random guy called me up and said he was calling on behalf of Paytm. He said he is sending a text message with a link, post clicking on which I will be able to avail 5% cashback on every Paytm transaction. I found the scheme too good to be true and when that message arrived on my phone, I opened it but never clicked on the link inside it. Despite not opening the link, within minutes 15,000 rupees was deducted from my PayTm wallet and sent to some random people. I was shocked and called up those people, who claimed they haven’t received any such money. Panicking, I called up my cousin who used to head the PayTm Movies department then. She immediately took my number and blocked mine as well as all those accounts into which money was transferred. Thankfully I called her up within minutes of the fraud happening and thus Paytm was able to recover my entire amount from those transferred accounts and seal them for theft. However, getting my money back was not that simple. My cousin told me that I will have to file an FIR in the cyber cell stating my case and from there I will get proof for Paytm that it was my money that was stolen. I immediately went to my nearest cyber cell branch and explained my case to them. The officials there were very cooperative and told me to file an online complaint then and there. They helped me fill in the online complaint form and attach proofs. Post which, they said it would take almost 10-12 days to process it. I was given a complaint id which I forwarded to Paytm via my cousin. Though it was a long wait of 10-15 days, my entire amount was duly refunded to my Paytm wallet in 2 transactions of 10,000 and 5000 simultaneously. Though I feel I got help because I knew someone who worked in Paytm, otherwise too, the entire process of filing the cyber complaints was easy and smooth. The officials cooperated and worked efficiently in resolving my case. While this is just one instance, there are thousands of people who become a victim of cybercrime daily and many of them don’t even know where to raise their voices. To make sure, this doesn’t happen, read on to know the process of filing a cyber crime complaint online in India.
Steps to file a cyber crime complaint online
Open cybercrime.gov.in and click on the ‘file a complaint’ option.
Accept the terms and conditions on the next page.
Click on the ‘Report Other Cybercrime’ button.
Choose the option ‘Citizen Login’ and fill in key details such as state, username, and mobile number.
Enter the OTP received, fill in the mathematical captcha and click on the ‘Submit’ button.On the next page, you will be asked to enter key details in a form. The form has been divided into 4 parts- Incident Details, Suspect Details, Complaint details, and preview and submit. In the incidents details column, enter details like the Category of the complaint, sub-category, approximate date, and time of the incident/ receiving/ viewing of content, the reason for the delay in reporting and where did the incident occur.
You might also have to enter social media account details, and website URL and update supporting evidence of the crime.Click on the ‘Save and Next’ button.Enter suspect details such as name, identity proof, or even address, if you have any. In the complaints details tab, enter your details such as e-mail id, photograph, etc, and move to the next step. Verify each and every detail that you have entered and ensure everything is authentic to the best of your knowledge. Once you are sure, click on the ‘Confirm and Submit’ button to successfully file the complaint.
You can also download the pdf file of your complaint by clicking on the ‘Download PDF’ button at the last step.
You will soon receive a message on your registered mobile number which will contain the ID of the FIR that you have lodged. Save it for future reference.
- What to do if one doesn’t have access to any cyber cell unit nearby? If you don’t have access to any of the cyber cells in India, you can file an FIR at the local police station.
- Is there a separate format for filing a cyber crime complaint? No, there is no separate format for filing cyber crime complaints. Just write a letter specifying all the details about the crime and file it in the nearest police station or cyber cell branch.
- What to do if the cyber cell refuses to accept your complaint? You can file a direct representation to the nearest judicial magistrate stating the fact that the complaint has not been accepted under any/certain circumstances.
- What are the documents needed to file a cyber crime complaint (online/offline)? Documents will include any screenshots, messages, videos, or recordings that you have, to prove that your case is legit. For example, if a fraud has occurred via Paytm wallet, then you need screenshots of transactions, transaction ids, and messages that you have received or sent.
- What are the main consequences of cyber crimes? Consequences include revenue loss, reputation damage, impact on society and government, etc.
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