What is e-Zero FIR? Will it catch cyber thieves?

FIRs are being registered in police stations in a systematic manner regarding cyber crimes. However, due to the process, it was taking a long time. That time will be avoided in e-Zero FIR. It is claimed that it will be easier to break the backbone of cybercriminals.

Latest Updates Jun 20, 2025 0 8 Add to Reading List

What is e-Zero FIR? Will it catch cyber thieves?

FIRs are being registered in police stations in a systematic manner regarding cyber crimes. However, due to the process, it was taking a long time. That time will be avoided in e-Zero FIR. It is claimed that it will be easier to break the backbone of cybercriminals.

The Union Home Ministry has currently started a pilot project in Delhi called e-Zero FIR to convert cyber fraud complaints into crimes immediately if they are filed. Accordingly, if the amount involved in cyber fraud is above Rs 10 lakhs, the relevant complaint will be automatically converted into an FIR. The central government is planning to gradually implement this scheme for minimum amounts. A review of what this scheme is and why it is beneficial.

Definition of Cyber fraud

Currently, cybercrime is being faced every day. Spam emails coming in email, unnecessary calls on mobile, messages, theft of net banking passwords and PINs (hacking), etc., are all types of cybercrime. Entering the computer system of a person, organization, etc. through computers, the internet, and stealing information from it, misusing it, sending viruses, fraud through mail, threatening, demanding ransom, etc. are types of cybercrime. Now, there is a panic in the name of digital arrest. Not only the elderly but also people from all walks of life - even the educated ones - are falling victim to cybercrime. Many people are being cheated of crores of rupees every day through new methods like investing in the stock market, disconnecting mobile phone connections, or cutting off electricity. If a case is registered with the cyber police immediately after financial fraud, there is a hope that the lost money will be recovered. While thinking about what else can be done in this regard, the e-Zero FIR scheme has come forward.

What is e-Zero FIR?

After cyber fraud, a complaint has to be filed on the National Cyber Crime Registration Portal. On the basis of this complaint, attempts are made to recover the fraudulent amount. However, due to the necessary process, it takes time, and cyber criminals withdraw the amount from each other and go free. Cyber criminals have now become so clever that they are embezzling the amount in a matter of moments. Therefore, it has become difficult to recover the fraudulent amount. After the complaint is filed, it is immediately converted into a crime, i.e., e-Zero FIR. Therefore, it will be possible to stop the fraudulent amount immediately. This project has been started in Delhi. If a complaint is filed on the Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or Cyber Crime Helpline number 1930, it will be immediately converted into an e-Zero FIR. The zero FIR method is not new. This method is used in cities. This method is prevalent in cases of crimes against women. Although there is no limit, registering a crime and sending it to the concerned police station is called Zero FIR. After filing a complaint on the Delhi Police's e-crime portal, it will be registered as a Zero FIR. Therefore, the work of recovering the cyber fraud amount will start immediately. After that, this Zero FIR will be transferred to the concerned police station for further processing. The concerned complainant has to go to the police station and file a case within three days. Currently, complaints of fraud of Rs 10 lakh or more will be received in the pilot project. The scheme has been developed by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre. This is a provision in the Indian Civil Security Act.

What is the benefit?

Sources related to these developments say that this method can provide immediate relief to a person who has been cheated of Rs 10 lakh or more. Since a case will be registered immediately after the complaint is filed, it will be possible to immediately stop the amount flowing into the cybercriminal's account. Once this amount is stopped, it can be returned to the victim. In such a case, too, this FIR will be beneficial. Even if the amount is withheld, the delay in getting it back is also due to the fact that an FIR has not been filed. In the current system, an FIR is being registered at the police station regarding cybercrime. But it was taking time because of the process. That time will be avoided in the e-Zero FIR. It is being claimed that it will be easier to break the backbone of the cybercriminal.

What do the statistics say?

Every day, many people fall victim to cybercrime. According to the information given in the Rajya Sabha in March 2025, out of 13 lakh 36 thousand complaints of cybercrime in the country so far, only Rs 4 thousand crores have been recovered. According to the complaints filed so far, cyber fraud has resulted in fraud of Rs 36 thousand 450 crores. This number is increasing. The central agency I4C has succeeded in blocking 8.5 lakh SIM cards and 2 lakh 8 thousand IMEI numbers suspected of being used in cybercrime. In 2024-2025, 28 lakh complaints of cyber fraud resulted in a loss of Rs 4,403 crore. This is a 67 percent increase compared to 2022-23. At that time, 20 lakh complaints of cyber fraud were filed, resulting in a loss of Rs 2,537 crore.

What is the solution so far?

The central and state governments have so far taken many effective measures to prevent cyber fraud. Still, cyber criminals have emerged victorious every time. The Union Home Ministry has provided relief to the victims of cyber fraud by making the Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, 1930, available at the national level. In comparison, the state