My client, Mr. Arun Desai from Metro City, unexpectedly received an amount of Rs. 8,000 through a UPI transaction from an unknown sender. There was no prior intimation, and no details of the sender were available. He was deeply concerned whether this unintended transaction could result in his account being frozen or if he would be held responsible for another person’s mistake. He immediately sought advice on how to proceed in this delicate situation.

Advice in such cases

• 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
• Do not spend or transfer the money received from unknown source, otherwise it may amount to misuse of funds and lead to criminal suspicion.
• Approach your bank branch immediately and report the transaction in writing.
• Keep all written records, SMS alerts and UPI transaction IDs safely for your legal protection.
• If a genuine sender approaches, guide them to report through their respective bank for reversal as per banking guidelines.

Applicable Sections of Law

• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Section 111 – Relating to criminal misappropriation if one dishonestly uses money received by mistake.
• Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Section 173 – Procedure relating to police investigation upon complaint.
• Reserve Bank of India Guidelines – Banks have authority to reverse certain transactions if proven to be made erroneously.

If you are the complainant

• 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
• Immediately file a written complaint with your bank mentioning date, time, and transaction ID.
• File an online complaint at cybercrime portal (cybercrime.gov.in) in case sender appears fraudulent.
• Notify the police through a General Diary (GD) entry for future protection.

If you are the victim

• 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
• Raise refund request immediately with your bank’s branch or nodal officer.
• If the receiver has not spent or transferred the funds, banks usually reverse it back after due verification.
• For non-cooperation, escalate complaint to RBI Ombudsman through cms.rbi.org.in.

How the police behave in such cases

Police usually treat such matters as cyber or financial disputes. They may verify details from the bank before registering a formal complaint. Police generally avoid freezing accounts unless there is suspicion of fraud, money laundering, or criminal use of funds. Cooperation with the bank and clear explanation helps avoid unnecessary harassment.

FAQs people normally have

• Will my account be frozen? – Not ordinarily, unless there is evidence linking you with fraud.
• Can I use the money? – No, using it may amount to misappropriation.
• What to do if no one contacts me? – Inform the bank and retain records, so you are not liable later.

What evidence is required?

• Bank statement showing credit of funds.
• Transaction ID from UPI application.
• Copy of written complaint/submission to the bank.
• Any communication from sender, if received.

How long will the investigation take?

In genuine mistaken transfers, resolution may take 15–45 days depending on inter-bank coordination. If police or cyber cell involvement arises, it can extend up to 3 months or more.

Advocate Sudhir Rao, Supreme Court of India