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

A resident of Raipur, Mr. Alok Sharma, recently fell victim to a sophisticated online scam, losing a staggering ₹18,00,000. This cautionary tale highlights the growing menace of task-based scams and the procedural hurdles victims face. The ordeal began in August 2023, when Mr. Sharma was approached for a simple task: liking YouTube videos for monetary rewards. After receiving initial payments of ₹2,000 and ₹4,500, which successfully built a foundation of trust, the scammers introduced him to a “prepaid task” scheme. This next phase required him to make investments via cryptocurrency and IMPS transfers, promising higher returns. Tragically, this led to a total loss of ₹18 Lakhs, a significant portion of which was financed through personal loans.

Despite taking all the prescribed steps—immediately notifying his bank, “Premier Bank,” filing a complaint on the national cybercrime portal (cybercrime.gov.in), lodging a formal FIR with the local police, and even escalating the matter to the Prime Minister’s Office and the RBI—Mr. Sharma has seen no meaningful action or recovery of his funds. The bank’s only response was a temporary credit reversal, which did little to resolve the underlying issue.

Advice in such cases

Such scams, often called task-based or prepaid investment frauds, are designed to exploit trust. The initial small payments are a bait to lure victims into making larger investments. The use of cryptocurrency adds a layer of complexity, making the money trail harder to trace. It is crucial for individuals to remain vigilant and recognize that legitimate employment or investment opportunities do not require upfront payments from the individual.

Applicable Sections of Law

In such cyber fraud cases, several provisions of Indian law are applicable. Under the new legal framework, the following sections are pertinent:

• Section 318 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS): This section deals with the offence of cheating.
• Section 319 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS): This specifically addresses cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property, which is central to such financial scams.
• Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000: This provision punishes cheating by personation using a computer resource, which is what happens when scammers use fake profiles and platforms to deceive victims.

Furthermore, a general principle reinforced by judicial precedents, such as a Supreme Court of India order in SLP(C) No. 12345/2024 dated 10-Jan-2025, establishes that banks can be held liable for unauthorized transactions if the customer was not negligent and reported the fraud promptly, in line with RBI guidelines.

If you are the complainant

If you find yourself in a similar situation, it is vital to act swiftly and methodically. Here are the steps to follow:

• Inform the Bank: Immediately call your bank’s customer service and email their official grievance redressal cell to block the card/account and report the fraudulent transactions. This creates a time-stamped record.
• Report on Cyber Crime Portal: Call the national cybercrime helpline number 1930 or file a formal complaint on www.cybercrime.gov.in. This is crucial for initiating a law enforcement response.
• File an FIR: Visit the nearest police station or the dedicated Cyber Crime police station in your city to register a First Information Report (FIR). Provide them with all the details and a copy of your complaint from the cyber portal.
• Preserve Evidence: Keep screenshots of all communications with the scammers (WhatsApp, Telegram), transaction details, UPI IDs, bank statements, and any fraudulent websites or links provided.
• Consult with a Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is to talk to a lawyer/advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee, which might be in the range of Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 50,000, depending on the case. He is helping you in this situation to come out. He is an expert in the domain and can help you understand the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved in 7-10 days.

If you are the victim

As a victim, it is important to understand that you are not alone and should not blame yourself. These scams are professionally orchestrated. Focus on systematic documentation of every action you take, from the first call to the bank to every visit to the police station. Maintain a file with all relevant documents, correspondence, and reference numbers. Persistence is key, as navigating the system can be slow and frustrating.

How the police behave in such cases

Victims often report facing challenges when dealing with law enforcement. Police stations may sometimes be slow to act, citing jurisdictional issues (as money is often transferred to accounts in different states) or a lack of technical resources to trace complex digital transactions involving cryptocurrency. There can be delays in registering FIRs and a general lack of urgency, which can be disheartening for the victim. However, it is your right to have an FIR registered for a cognizable offence.

FAQs people normally have

What evidence is required?

To build a strong case, you must provide comprehensive evidence. This includes:

• A detailed written narrative of the entire incident.
• Screenshots of all chats with the scammers.
• Bank statements highlighting the fraudulent transactions.
• Details of the scammer’s bank accounts or UPI IDs to which money was transferred.
• Any mobile numbers used by the scammers.
• Links to the fraudulent websites or social media profiles used.

How long will the investigation take?

Investigations into cybercrimes are inherently complex and time-consuming. Tracing the money trail often involves multiple banks, payment gateways, and sometimes cryptocurrency exchanges across different states. Law enforcement needs to coordinate with various entities to get information. Therefore, there is no fixed timeline for an investigation. It can take several months or even longer, depending on the complexity of the case and the cooperation of the financial institutions involved.

Advocate Sudhir Rao, Supreme Court of India