Something feels off. What do I do next?
A call, a message, a link, a payment that has already gone. Find what happened to you below and get the next step — in plain language, in under a minute.
Free to read. Nothing to sign up for. We do not ask you for money, documents, OTPs or remote access — and neither should anyone claiming to help you recover funds.
What just happened to you?
- I have already lost money The first hour decides whether you get it back. Start here.
- Someone called saying I am under arrest Police, CBI, ED or Customs on a video call. No such thing exists in Indian law.
- Someone is threatening to leak my photos or video Sextortion. Do not pay, do not delete anything. What to do in the first hour.
- My phone suddenly lost network Could be a SIM swap in progress. Act before the OTPs start arriving.
- A message says my KYC or account is blocked Bank, wallet or SIM KYC expiry messages are one of the most common scams in India.
- I was asked to scan a QR code to receive money Scanning a QR code never credits money to you. Only debits.
- A WhatsApp group is helping me invest Pig butchering. The profits on the screen are not real and the money is gone.
- I was sent an APK file to install A wedding invite, a bank app, a courier update. Installing it hands over your phone.
- I got a job or work-from-home offer Registration fees, task-based earnings and Telegram recruiters are the tells.
- I got an unpaid bill or challan warning Electricity disconnection and traffic challan SMS scams follow the same script.
- My boss messaged me from a new number Urgent, confidential, needs a payment right now. Verify before you act.
- I am not sure, something just feels off One habit stops most scams: pause, verify, then act.
Reporting a cyber fraud in India
Right now
Call 1930
The national cyber crime helpline, operated by I4C under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Open 24/7. Call before you do anything else — banks can sometimes freeze the receiving account within hours.
Within 24 hours
File at cybercrime.gov.in
A formal written complaint on the national portal. Keep the acknowledgement number — your bank will ask for it, and it is what makes the chargeback process possible.