FRAUD MANAGEMENT | INCI
ENT OF CYBER-CRIMES
In this article, we will read about what are the ways to handle cyber-crime when it happens to you. This article covers a small portion of this study material prescribed for the Cyber-crime 2022 Exam.
CYBER-CRIMES IN INDIA
This increase in the number of Cyber-crimes mostly results from the high-speed internet connectivity, increased use of Smartphones while there remains a lack of awareness about internet security. This has led to so many people falling prey to cyber-crimes.
Factors like high-speed internet connectivity, increase in smartphone usage, and lack of awareness about Internet security often play a role in consumers falling prey to cybercriminals.
IMPORTANT STEPS THAT CYBER-CRIME VICTIM MUST TAKE
While it is always better to be safe and secure, it is also important that you must know what to do if you ever become a victim of cybercrime. So, here are some of the steps which you can take if you ever become a victim:
DISCONNECT & DETACH
If you come to know that there is an ongoing attack on your computer or IT infrastructure, the first thing that you should do is to disconnect all the devices from the internet connection to prevent any more loss of data.
If you are being cyberbullied or cyberstalked, you should simply step away from the screen and must take legal action.
If the phishing attack has been successful and you have been successfully conned in providing private and confidential information you must do the below-written things immediately:
- Freeze all your bank accounts and credit cards
- Change your passwords for internet and mobile banking
TAKE LEGAL ACTION
Don’t make the mistake of ignoring go during the process of taking legal action. The reason is that initiating a legal action can minimize any negative consequences of Cyber-crimes. You can contact your local cyber-crime investigation cell where you can file a written complaint by providing the below information:
- Nature of cybercrime
- The extent of the damage
- Documents, data, and other information which is relevant to the complaint.
Never assume that a cybercriminal cannot be caught. There are provisions under the information technology act and the Indian Penal Code which defines that cyber-crime as a punishable offense. Even if the crime has been committed in Punjab, the complaint can be filed in Delhi too. So, do not delay in filing the complaint because criminals can run away from the city.
INFORM YOUR CONTACTS
If your virtual identity has been stolen, then you should spread the word about the fact using social media. This latest app can minimize the risk of your identity being used to commit any other crime and also make your friends and relatives aware of the ongoing situation of Cyber-crimes.
TAKE PREVENTIVE STEPS FOR THE FUTURE
To protect yourself from being a victim of Cyber-crime in the future, you can install licensed antivirus softwares, start using strong passwords having combinations of alphanumeric characters and keep in mind that you should never disclose your banking details to anyone.
Even though Cyber-crimes are still a challenge and you can never be immune to them, taking action at the right time definitely reduces the damage.
FILING A CYBER-CRIME COMPLAINT
One can file a cyber complaint online as well as offline as per their own convenience. It is not at all necessary that the victim register the complaint in the city in which he or she is residing or where the crime was actually committed because of the fact that cybercrime comes under Global jurisdiction.
Therefore, you can file a complaint in any of the cyber-crime cells established in India. Cyber-crime cells have been set up in various cities of India for the convenience of people to get proper assistance. These cybercrimes cells have also been trying to make people aware of Hindi Cyber-crimes and the steps that one should take to avoid becoming a victim.
If you do not have access to any of the cyber-crime cells, then you can file an FIR at your local police station under section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
If the cyber-crime that has been committed is a cognizable offense under IPC, then a police officer has to lodge an FIR. And in case a police officer refuses to lodge the complaint, a written complaint can be filed to the Judicial Magistrate of his or her district.
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PROCEDURE TO FILE OFFLINE CYBERCRIME COMPLAINT AT CYBER-CRIME CELL
You can file a written complaint to the Cyber-crime cell. It is the most acceptable way to register the crime because there are still people who cannot afford the Internet charges or do not have the required knowledge to file it online.
This written complaint should be addressed to the Head of the Cybercrime Cell and should be attached with the information:
- Name of the victim
- Contact details of the victim
- Mail address of victim
- Other documents depending on the type of Cyber-crime that has been committed against the victim
Which documents are necessary for offline as well as offline filing of complaints.
PROCEDURE TO FILE ONLINE CYBERCRIME COMPLAINT AT THE NATIONAL CYBER-CRIME REPORTING PORTAL
As the digital era has provided a more convenient method to deal with issues than the traditional ones, it has also provided an option to file cyber-crime complaints online.
Today, a cyber-crime complaint can be easily registered on the National Cyber-crime Reporting Portal, an initiative of the Indian government to facilitate nationwide cybercrime complaints. This system has made it convenient and feasible for the victims to access cybercrime cells at their fingertips.
The National Cyber-crime Reporting Portal has been established by the Ministry of Home Affairs to deal with all types of cybercrime. One can file two types of complaints on this portal:
Report Crime related to Women or Children
- Child Pornography (CP)
- Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM)- Material containing sexually explicit images (in any form) of a child who is abused or exploited
- Sexually explicit content (such as Rape/Gangrape)
Report Other Cybercrimes
- Mobile crimes
- Social Media crimes
- Online financial frauds
- Cyber trafficking
- Ransomware
- Hacking
The procedure to file the above-mentioned cyber-crimes will be discussed in the next article. This is all about protecting and filing the cyber-crimes.
