I lost money in a UPI fraud, how do I get it back?

Question

Someone tricked me into scanning a QR code or sharing an OTP and money was debited from my bank account via UPI. I have been reading conflicting things online and I would like to understand what Indian law actually says about this, which Act and Section applies, what the realistic timelines and costs are, and what I should be doing right now to protect my position. If the matter can be resolved without litigation I would prefer that route, but I want to know what my rights are before I agree to anything or sign any document.

MyVakeel Legal Desk · Accepted Answer

I lost money in a UPI fraud, how do I get it back? is governed in India primarily by Information Technology Act, 2000 – Section 43, Information Technology Act, 2000 – Section 66D and RBI Circular on Customer Liability in Unauthorised Electronic Transactions, 2017. The short answer is set out below, followed by the practical steps most people in this situation need to take. Read it alongside the specific provisions named, because the exact relief available to you turns on the facts you can prove on paper.

Under the RBI's limited/zero liability circular, if you report an unauthorised transaction within 3 working days of receiving the alert, your liability is zero and the bank must re-credit the disputed amount within 10 working days pending investigation.

If reported between 4 and 7 days, liability is capped depending on your account type; beyond 7 days the bank's board-approved policy applies and recovery becomes harder.

Section 66D of the IT Act punishes cheating by personation using a computer resource with up to 3 years imprisonment and fine, which covers UPI/QR scams.

Simultaneously file a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or call 1930, which triggers an automated freeze request to the beneficiary bank/wallet before the money is withdrawn.

Keep the bank's acknowledgment and the cybercrime complaint number, since both the RBI Ombudsman and the police rely on these to trace and reverse the transaction.

What to do next: 1) Call your bank's helpline immediately and block the card/UPI ID, then email the dispute in writing; 2) Dial 1930 or file at cybercrime.gov.in within the first hour for the best chance of a fund freeze; 3) Send a written complaint to the bank's nodal grievance officer and preserve the SMS/email alerts; 4) If unresolved in 30 days, escalate to the RBI Banking Ombudsman.

If the other side has already issued a notice, filed a case or set a deadline, treat the matter as time-sensitive — most remedies under Information Technology Act, 2000 – Section 43 carry limitation periods, and a delay you cannot explain weakens an otherwise strong case. You can post the details on the MyVakeel forum for a practising advocate to review, or book a paid consultation with a Bar Council verified lawyer in this practice area.