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

Mr. Rohan, an 18-year-old resident of Aaravpur, recently found himself in a distressing situation. A few months ago, he connected with a girl named Priya on a social messaging app. Over time, their friendship blossomed into a close, emotional, and romantic relationship, with daily communication becoming a norm.

Priya shared details about her life, including the fact that her family held different cultural beliefs, which might pose a challenge to their relationship. The entire interaction felt genuine to Rohan. However, things took an abrupt turn when Priya mentioned she would be joining a very strict residential college, the ‘Vidyashakti Institute of Technology,’ in a different city, Vidyanagar. She described rules that severely restricted phone usage and movement outside the campus, warning Rohan that their communication would be severely limited for the next four years.

One morning, about two weeks ago, Rohan received a final message from her: “Good Morning, I hope your night was good, My night was good, I will be going to college today, l don’t know much about the rules of the college, let’s see how I can text you after college, 🫂”. Since that message, there has been complete silence. Priya has vanished from the platform, and none of their mutual online acquaintances have heard from her either.

Rohan is now consumed with worry for her safety. While he cherished their connection, he also harbors doubts about her true identity, considering the possibility of impersonation or catfishing. He possesses all their chat history, her user ID, and a single photograph she had sent. He is seeking legal guidance on how to verify her identity and ensure her well-being, wondering whether to approach the local police or the Cyber Crime Cell.

Advice in such cases

Navigating such a situation requires a calm and methodical approach. The mix of emotional concern and suspicion can be overwhelming. Here are some immediate steps to consider:

• Preserve all evidence meticulously. Take screenshots of the entire chat history, the person’s profile, user ID, and any photos or other information shared. Do not delete anything.
• Refrain from repeated, frantic attempts to contact the person through other means if they have gone silent. This could be misconstrued.
• Do not share any further personal or financial information with any associated accounts or mutual friends until the situation is clear.
• 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

The legal recourse depends on the nature of the complaint—whether it is a missing person’s case or a cybercrime like impersonation.

• Missing Person Complaint: If you genuinely fear for the person’s safety, you can file a missing person’s report at a police station. The police will follow the procedure laid down in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 to trace the individual.
• Cheating by Personation: If you suspect you have been deceived by someone using a fake identity (catfishing), it could amount to cheating. This is covered under Section 318 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
• Cheating by Personation using a Computer Resource: Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000, specifically deals with cheating by personation using any communication device or computer resource, which is directly applicable to online impersonation cases.
• Cyberstalking: While not directly applicable to Rohan’s situation, if the roles were reversed and he was being relentlessly contacted after asking them to stop, it could fall under Section 77 of the BNS, 2023.

If you are the complainant

As the person initiating the complaint, you must take structured steps to ensure your concerns are addressed effectively.

• Organize all the digital evidence you have collected. This includes chat logs, user IDs, profile information, and any media exchanged.
• Draft a clear and concise written complaint detailing the entire timeline of your interaction, the reasons for your concern, and the information you have about the person.
• You can approach either your local police station or the Cyber Crime Cell. For online cases, the Cyber Crime Cell is often better equipped to handle the technical aspects of the investigation. You can also file a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in).
• 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

In this context, being a “victim” primarily refers to being a target of online fraud, impersonation, or emotional manipulation (catfishing).

• Acknowledge that you may have been deceived. It is crucial to prioritize your own safety and emotional well-being.
• Follow the same steps as a complainant: gather evidence and file a formal complaint with the police or Cyber Crime Cell to unmask the perpetrator.
• Cooperate fully with the investigating authorities. They will require the evidence you have to trace the digital footprint of the person in question.
• 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

The police response to such cases can vary. Initially, they might view it as a personal matter or a simple case of a relationship ending. However, if you present a well-documented complaint expressing genuine concern for safety or providing evidence of potential deception, they are obligated to act. The Cyber Crime Cell, in particular, takes cases of online impersonation and potential fraud seriously. They have the technical means to trace IP addresses, work with social media platforms, and investigate the digital trail left by the user, even if the profile was fake.

FAQs people normally have

Can I file a police complaint for someone I only met online and whose real name or address I don’t know?

Yes, you can. The police can initiate an investigation based on the digital information you provide, such as their user ID, profile, and chat history. The Cyber Crime Cell specializes in tracing individuals through their digital footprints.

What if the entire identity was fake? Can the person still be found?

Even if the name and pictures were fake, the person used a real device and internet connection. Law enforcement agencies can work with internet service providers and the social media platform to trace the account’s origin and the user’s location.

Will my details be kept confidential during the investigation?

As the complainant, your identity will be known to the police. However, you can request them to handle the matter with discretion, especially concerning your personal relationship with the individual.

What evidence is required?

The stronger your evidence, the more effective the investigation will be. Key evidence includes:

• Screenshots of the person’s profile and user ID.
• Complete, unedited chat logs with timestamps.
• Any photos, videos, or voice notes exchanged.
• Any other contact information shared, such as an email address or a linked account, even if it turned out to be fake.

How long will the investigation take?

The duration of such investigations can vary significantly. It depends on factors like the responsiveness of the social media platform, the complexity of tracing the digital trail (e.g., if VPNs were used), and inter-state coordination if the person is in a different state. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months or more.

Advocate Sudhir Rao, Supreme Court of India