Which police station has jurisdiction for an online/cyber fraud complaint?

Question

I'm confused about where to file my complaint since the fraud happened online and the accused could be located anywhere in India or abroad. 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

Which police station has jurisdiction for an online/cyber fraud complaint? is governed in India primarily by Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 – Section 178, Information Technology Act, 2000 – Section 75 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 – Section 173 (Zero FIR). 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.

Because cybercrime is inherently location-agnostic, the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) allows you to file a complaint centrally regardless of your location or the accused's location, and it is auto-routed to the relevant state cyber cell based on your location.

Under BNSS Section 173 (Zero FIR provision), you can file an FIR at any police station regardless of where the offence occurred, and it must be registered and then transferred to the police station with actual jurisdiction — you cannot be turned away for 'wrong jurisdiction'.

Section 75 of the IT Act gives it extra-territorial application — the Act applies to offences committed outside India too if they involve a computer/network located in India, which is relevant when the accused or servers are based abroad.

For financial fraud specifically, always additionally call 1930 (irrespective of where you file the FIR), since this triggers the RBI-backed fund-freeze mechanism which is time-critical and separate from the FIR registration process.

If police refuse to register your complaint/FIR, you can send a written complaint to the Superintendent of Police (Section 175(3) BNSS) or approach the Magistrate directly to direct registration of the FIR.

What to do next: 1) File first at cybercrime.gov.in and separately call 1930 for financial fraud; 2) Approach any nearby police station for a Zero FIR if needed, they cannot refuse for jurisdiction reasons; 3) If refused, send a written complaint to the Superintendent of Police; 4) Approach the Magistrate under BNSS if the police still do not act.

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 Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 – Section 178 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.