Sent money to a scammer? Do this now

What to do, in order

1. 1

   Call 1930 now

   This is the national cyber-fraud helpline. Give them the amount, the time, and the account, UPI ID or phone number the money went to. Reporting quickly gives the best chance of the money being frozen before it is moved on.

2. 2

   Call your bank

   Use the number on the back of your card or inside your bank’s own app. Ask them to block the card, UPI or net banking that was used and to raise a dispute for the transaction.

3. 3

   Keep the evidence

   Take screenshots of the messages, the caller’s number, the payment confirmation and its transaction or UTR number. Do not delete the chat, even if it is upsetting to look at.

4. 4

   File a complaint online

   Register the complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and keep the acknowledgement number. Your bank or the police may ask for it.

5. 5

   Secure your accounts

   If you shared an OTP, PIN or password, or installed an app the caller asked for, remove the app and change your banking, UPI and email passwords from a different device.

What not to do

• ×Do not send more money to “release”, “refund” or “verify” the first payment.
• ×Do not pay anyone who contacts you offering to recover your money for a fee. That is a second scam aimed at people who have just lost money.
• ×Do not keep talking to the scammer in the hope of getting it back.
• ×Do not wait to see if it resolves itself. Hours matter.

Where to report

• Call 1930

  The national cyber-fraud helpline. If money has left your account, call straight away — the sooner it is reported, the better the chance of the money being frozen.

• National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal

  File a complaint online at cybercrime.gov.in. Keep the acknowledgement number it gives you.

  Open cybercrime.gov.in

• Sanchar Saathi (Chakshu)

  Report the suspicious call, SMS or WhatsApp number to the Department of Telecommunications, even if you lost nothing.

  Open sancharsaathi.gov.in