If money has just left your account to a scammer, the first 60 minutes matter most. Banks and the cyber-crime system can sometimes freeze funds before they are withdrawn — but only if you act immediately. Here is exactly what to do.
Do this in the first hour
- Call 1930 — the national cyber-crime helpline. Report the fraud and ask them to initiate a freeze on the transaction.
- Call your bank and block the card/UPI, then formally raise a fraud dispute (get a complaint number).
- File at cybercrime.gov.in with screenshots, the amount, date/time, UPI ID or account number, and any phone numbers or links.
- Don’t delete anything — keep the messages, call logs and reference IDs as evidence.
Why speed matters
Scammers move money through layers of "mule" accounts within minutes. The Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting system connects banks and police so a fast report can put a hold on the receiving account before the cash is pulled out. Late reports rarely recover funds.
What NOT to do
- Don’t call random "customer care" numbers you find on Google — many are scam numbers.
- Don’t install any "help" or remote-access app (AnyDesk/TeamViewer) an unknown caller asks for.
- Don’t share OTPs or a new UPI PIN with anyone "verifying" your case.
FAQ
What is the number to report an online scam in India?
Call 1930, the national cyber-crime helpline, and also file at cybercrime.gov.in. Report as fast as possible for the best chance of a freeze.
Can I actually get my money back?
Sometimes, yes — if you report within the first hour the receiving account can be frozen before withdrawal. Delays sharply reduce recovery chances.
The scammer is calling from "the bank" to help me. Is that real?
No. Fraudsters often pose as bank or police staff offering to "reverse" the transaction. Hang up and use only 1930 and your bank’s official number.