India launches e‑Zero FIR system for nationwide cyber‑fraud reporting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed that the e‑Zero FIR (online First Information Report) system be deployed in every Indian state and Union Territory. The digital platform, created by the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), allows victims of cyber financial fraud to lodge complaints online, bypassing jurisdictional limits and eliminating the need to visit multiple police stations.

Once a complaint—typically involving fraud of ₹10  lakh or more—is filed, it is automatically routed to the relevant cyber‑crime police station via the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS). Investigators are expected to begin action within a few hours, increasing the chance of freezing suspect accounts before money is moved. The scheme is backed by the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, section 173, giving it legal validity.

The move comes as cyber‑fraud complaints surged to 28.15  lakh in 2025, up 24 % from the previous year, with estimated losses of ₹22,495  crore. Officials say the e‑Zero FIR will streamline response, protect digital transactions, and bolster public confidence in India’s digital ecosystem.