If you are stuck in such a situation, here is what to do.

Mr. Sameer Verma, a resident of the bustling city of Anandpur, recently fell victim to a sophisticated online job scam. He was contacted by a company named “Global Tech Solutions” through a professional networking site, offering a lucrative data entry position. After a brief online interview, he was asked to pay a “security deposit” of ₹25,000 to receive his work laptop. After making the payment, all communication from the company ceased. Realizing he had been scammed, Sameer promptly filed a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal on the 2nd of March.

Ten days later, on the 12th of March, he received an automated email stating that his complaint had been “closed.” Confused and disheartened, he logged back into the portal to check the status, only to find it still marked as “Pending.” This discrepancy left him wondering about the actual status of his case and what his next steps should be.

Advice in such cases

Receiving conflicting information about your complaint can be frustrating. The discrepancy often arises from procedural reasons or system lags. “Closed” in an email might mean the initial inquiry is complete and the complaint has been forwarded to the relevant police station for a formal investigation, while the portal’s “Pending” status reflects that the investigation is still ongoing.

• Do not panic. The “closed” status on the initial portal does not necessarily mean the end of your case.
• Preserve all communication, including the email stating the complaint is closed and screenshots of the portal showing a “pending” status.
• Attempt to contact the cyber cell or the local police station to which the complaint might have been forwarded. You can do this by visiting them in person.
• Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation of come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think

Applicable Sections of Law

Online scams like the one Mr. Verma faced involve various offenses under Indian law. The investigation would likely involve the following legal provisions:

• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS): Sections like Section 318 (Cheating), Section 316 (Cheating by personation), and Section 319 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) are relevant. If forged documents were used, other sections could also apply.
• Information Technology Act, 2000: Section 66D (Punishment for cheating by personation by using computer resource) and Section 66C (Punishment for identity theft) are key provisions for prosecuting such cybercrimes.

If you are the complainant

As the person who filed the complaint, it is crucial to be proactive.

• Organize all your evidence systematically. This includes transaction details, screenshots of chats, emails, the fake company’s website or profile, and any phone numbers used.
• Keep a record of your complaint number (Acknowledgement Number) and all subsequent communications.
• Follow up with the authorities. If the complaint has been forwarded to a local police station, visit them with a copy of your complaint and all evidence.
• Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation of come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think

If you are the victim

Being a victim of a scam is stressful. Take these immediate steps to mitigate further damage and aid the investigation.

• Immediately report the fraudulent transaction to your bank to block the transfer if possible and to freeze your account if necessary.
• Change passwords for your email, net banking, and other important online accounts, especially if you shared any personal information.
• File the complaint on the cybercrime portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) or by calling the helpline 1930 without delay.
• Do not delete any digital evidence like chat history, emails, or SMS messages from the scammer.
• Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation of come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think

How the police behave in such cases

Upon receiving a complaint from the central portal, the cyber police conduct a preliminary verification. The term “closed” can mean several things in this context: it could mean the case has been transferred to a different jurisdiction, the preliminary inquiry found insufficient grounds to proceed, or it has been converted into a formal FIR at a local police station. The police are often overburdened with a high volume of such cases, which can lead to delays. The “pending” status on the portal often signifies that the case is now in the hands of a state-level investigating officer and is actively being pursued, even if the initial portal ticket is closed.

FAQs people normally have

Why did I get an email saying my complaint is ‘closed’ while the portal shows ‘pending’?

This common issue usually indicates a procedural step. The initial ticket on the national portal is “closed” after it has been assessed and forwarded to the relevant state police or a specific police station for investigation. The “pending” status reflects that the investigation itself is now underway with that designated authority.

Can I provide additional evidence after filing the complaint?

Yes. You can submit additional evidence by visiting the police station where your case has been assigned. Always carry your complaint acknowledgement number for reference. It is best to submit any new findings as soon as possible.

What if the police do not take any action on my complaint?

If you feel there is an unreasonable delay or inaction, you have legal remedies. You can send a formal representation to senior police officers (like the Superintendent of Police or Commissioner). If that fails, you can approach the Magistrate’s court by filing a private complaint under Section 175 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), to seek directions for the police to register an FIR and investigate.

What evidence is required?

Strong evidence is the backbone of a successful cybercrime investigation. You must preserve and provide:

• Screenshots of the scammer’s profile, website, and all conversations (WhatsApp, Telegram, emails, etc.).
• Bank account statements showing the debited amount. Include the transaction ID, date, and time.
• The phone numbers, UPI IDs, or bank account details of the perpetrators.
• Any URLs, email addresses, or documents provided by the scammers.

How long will the investigation take?

The duration of a cybercrime investigation varies greatly. It depends on factors like the complexity of the case, the digital trail left by the criminals, whether they are operating from a different state or country, and the workload of the investigating agency. Simple cases might be resolved in a few months, while complex, multi-layered scams can take much longer.

Advocate Sudhir Rao, Supreme Court of India