According to NCRB data, the number of cases of cybercrime against kids would increase by more than 400% in 2020.
Cyber crime refers to any illegal activity that involves the use of a network or networked device or computer as a means to commit such activity. The definition implies that the “computer” is the primary element that is either used as a tool for directly committing a cyber crime or can be used to target other computers or devices. The former category, which requires the use of a computer as a direct weapon, involves the commission of crimes such as cyber terrorism, pornography, infringement of intellectual property rights, and so on. In the latter category, crimes such as hacking, virus attacks, and so on are committed. The procedure for filing a cybercrime complaint is outlined below. Some experts attribute at least some of the recent wave of cyberattacks against both public and private entities to COVID-19. The FBI received 1 million more reports regarding cybercrime between May 2020 and May 2021.
Cybercrime is a type of criminal activity that involves the use of computers and the Internet. Hacking, cyber stalking, denial of service (DoS), virus dissemination, software piracy, credit card fraud, and phishing are examples of common cyber crimes.
To address the issue of cybercrime, CIDs (Criminal Investigation Departments) in various cities established Cyber Crime Cells. The Indian Information Technology Act clearly states that when a cyber crime is committed, it has global jurisdiction. As a result, a complaint can be filed with any cyber cell.
Procedures for Filing a Cyber Crime Complaint
Step 1: The first step is to file a complaint against the cybercrime and the perpetrator with the cyber police or the cyber cell India. The cyber crime cells have established various departments for investigating crimes in various cities. These departments are in charge of not only investigating crimes but also of getting them reported on time. The victim can file a complaint with the cyber police or the cyber cell’s crime investigation department at any time, either online or offline. You can also call the cybercrime helpline number.
Step 2: When filing a complaint, one may be required to provide their name, mailing address, and phone number, as well as an application letter addressed to the head of a cyber crime investigation cell.
Step 3: In order to file a complaint, you must provide certain documents. The list of documents varies depending on the type of cybercrime. One requirement when filing a complaint is to attach or annex any documents that fully support the facts of the case. The type of documents that must be attached when filing a cybercrime complaint is determined by the type of cybercrime committed.
Documents necessary to file a complaint:
- Documents that must be attached when filing a hacking complaint
- If the victim’s website has been defaced, the server logs will contain both a soft copy and a hard copy of the defaced web page.
- a soft copy of the original data as well as the compromised data, if the data was hacked on either the victim’s computer, server, or other equipment
- Details such as the name of the accused/person who accessed the victim’s computer system or his email address for accessing the victim’s computer or email address.
- There is a chance that a victim will suspect someone, and he will keep a list of those he suspects.
- Other pertinent data to answer the following questions –
- Which data was compromised, and who could be held accountable?
- When did the system compromise, and what was the cause of the compromise?
- Where does the attack—identifying the target system from the network—have an impact?
- How many systems were compromised as a result of the attack?
Documents needed to file a complaint about vulgar emails
- Email headers that are offensive
- Soft and hard copies of the offending email/emails
- Copy the offending email from your inbox as well as one from your hard disk
Documents needed to file a complaint against social media complaints
- A clear copy of the alleged profile.
- Copy of the alleged content or profile’s URL.
- The alleged content is available in both hard and soft copy.
- A CD-R with a soft copy will be provided.
Documents required to file a complaint against a Net banking/ATM provider Complaints
- Copy of the last six months’ bank statement from the relevant bank
- Copy of SMSs received in connection with the alleged transactions
- Copy of your ID and address proof as they appear in your bank records.
Documents needed to file a complaint about business emails
- A written summary of the offence, including the offender’s name and location of origin, the bank’s name and account number of origin, and the recipient’s name as it appears on his or her bank records.
- The recipient’s bank account number
- The recipient’s bank location is optional.
- Transaction date.
- The amount of the transaction.
- SWIFT code.
Documents needed to file a data theft complaint
- It is required that a copy of the stolen data be filed.
- The certificate demonstrating copyright over the allegedly stolen data, i.e. the stolen data’s copyright certificate.
- Details about the suspect employee or employee
Step to File Complaint in Cybercrime
Over the last few decades, technological advancement and the number of internet users have grown at a rapid and significant rate. With the increased use of the internet, it is obvious that there will be consequences for excessive use. In addition to excessive use, certain crimes are committed online; thus, for the victim’s protection, provisions for filing a complaint and informing officials about the crime’s commission in order to punish the accused are required.
Step 1: Complaints for cybercrime can be filed both offline and online. The department that deals with online and offline cyber complaints is Cyber Cell India, so the first step is to report the complaint to this department. You can also call the cybercrime helpline number. You can file an online cybercrime complaint here.
Step 2: The victim must file a written complaint with the cybercrime cell in the city where he or she is located. However, because cyber crime falls under the purview of global jurisdiction, it follows that one can file a cyber complaint in any city’s cyber crime cell, regardless of whether the person is from another city in India.
Step 3:
The victim must provide the following information when filing a complaint with the cyber cell:
The victim’s/person filing the complaint’s name,
His contact information,
The mailing address.
The written complaint must be addressed to the department’s head.
Step 4: If you do not have access to the cyber cell India, you can file a First Information Report with your local police station. If the complaint is not accepted by the police station for any reason, the complainant may approach a judicial magistrate.
Step 5:
If the crime falls under the purview of the Indian Penal Code, a First Information Report can be filed. Every police officer is required by law to file a complaint, as stated in Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Because most cyber crimes under the Indian Penal Code are classified as cognizable offences, no warrant is required for arresting the accused. Cognizable offences are those offences in which no warrant is required for carrying out an investigation or making an arrest.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs is planning to create and launch a centralized online cybercrime registration portal. The goal is to eliminate the need to go to the police station to file a cybercrime complaint.
- The Delhi police’s Cyber crime cell has launched an online portal for registering cyber crimes.
