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—kbc-scam-india-explained [2026/07/22 17:47] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +====== KBC Scam India Explained — Recovery (2026) ======
 +
 +
 +
 +{{ :social:auto:kbc-scam-india-explained.png?direct&1200 |KBC Scam India Explained — Recovery (2026) — RTI Wiki}}
 +
 +<WRAP center round info 95%>
 +**Quick Reply:** KBC lottery scam victims can file a cyber-crime FIR and zero-FIR, recover deposits via the Consumer Protection Act, and use RTI to track complaints.
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +{{htmlmetatags>metatag-title=(KBC Scam India Explained Recovery 2026)&metatag-description=(KBC lottery scam victims can file a cyber-crime FIR and zero-FIR, recover deposits via the Consumer Protection Act, and use RTI to track complaints.)&metatag-keywords=(KBC scam, lottery fraud India, Kaun Banega Crorepati fraud, cyber fraud recovery, BNS cheating, consumer complaint lottery, fake lottery notice, NCRP portal)}}
 +
 +In April 2026, Ramesh Kumar from Jabalpur received a WhatsApp message claiming he had won ₹25 lakh in the "KBC Lotto 2026" and paid ₹47,000 in "processing fees" before realizing no legitimate lottery demands advance payment.
 +
 +===== Direct answer (featured snippet) =====
 +
 +KBC scams are cyber-enabled lottery frauds where criminals impersonate the television programme "Kaun Banega Crorepati" via SMS, WhatsApp, or phone calls, falsely claiming the victim has won a prize and demanding advance payment for "taxes," "processing fees," or "registration." Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (BNS), advance-fee cheating that induces delivery of property is punishable under section 318(4) (up to seven years), impersonation under section 319, and where a computer or communication device is used, under the Information Technology Act 2000 section 66D. Victims can file a zero-FIR at any police station under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 (BNSS) section 173, lodge a cyber-crime complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in), and file a consumer complaint under the Consumer Protection Act 2019 for service deficiency by payment intermediaries if a chargeback is denied.
 +
 +===== In this guide =====
 +
 +  * [[#How the KBC scam operates in 2026]]
 +  * [[#Statutory offences: BNS 2023 sections and penalties]]
 +  * [[#Immediate action checklist (first 72 hours)]]
 +  * [[#Filing FIR and cyber-crime complaint (step-by-step)]]
 +  * [[#Recovery routes: Chargeback, consumer forum, civil suit]]
 +  * [[#Government complaint channels and RTI leverage]]
 +  * [[#Evidence collection and documentation protocol]]
 +  * [[#Case-law and legal principles on lottery fraud]]
 +  * [[#Myth vs reality: KBC scam edition]]
 +  * [[#Frequently asked questions]]
 +
 +===== How the KBC scam operates in 2026 =====
 +
 +The "KBC lottery scam" exploits the trust equity of Sony Entertainment Television's flagship quiz show, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan. Fraudsters send bulk messages via WhatsApp Business API, cloned numbers, or SMS gateways, congratulating recipients on winning prizes ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹2 crore. Messages often include:
 +
 +  * Fake KBC letterhead with Sony logo
 +  * Reference numbers mimicking official formats (e.g., "KBC/2026/DRAW/1472")
 +  * A "customer care" number (typically +91-9XXXXXXX or international VoIP)
 +  * Instructions to pay "GST," "Income Tax clearance," or "RBI NOC fee"
 +
 +Once the victim calls, a well-scripted operator—sometimes using voice-modulation software to mimic celebrity voices—confirms the win, creates urgency ("offer valid for 48 hours"), and directs payment via UPI, NEFT, cryptocurrency wallets, or gift cards (Amazon Pay, Google Play). Scammers commonly use mule accounts (opened with stolen KYC), making fund tracing difficult.
 +
 +**Real mechanics:**
 +
 +  - The show **never** conducts a public lottery; all participants appear on-air after rigorous auditions.
 +  - **Sony Entertainment Television and KBC never ask any winner to pay a fee, tax, deposit, or "clearance charge" to release prize money.** Any such demand is the clearest sign of fraud.
 +  - Sony Entertainment and the producer issue public notices clarifying this.
 +
 +> **Warning** — If any "lottery" asks for advance payment, it is fraudulent. Under the Lotteries (Regulation) Act 1998 only State-authorised lotteries are lawful, and the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act 1978 bans money-circulation schemes. Legitimate prize winnings have any TDS deducted **at source** by the payer; a genuine winner never pays a fee **before** receiving the prize.
 +
 +===== Statutory offences: BNS 2023 sections and penalties =====
 +
 +The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (which replaced the IPC and came into force on 1 July 2024) covers KBC scams under several sections:
 +
 +^ Provision ^ Offence ^ Penalty ^
 +| **BNS 318(4)** | Cheating inducing delivery of property (replaces IPC 420) | Up to 7 years + fine |
 +| **BNS 318** | Cheating (general) | Up to 3 years + fine |
 +| **BNS 319** | Cheating by personation | Up to 5 years + fine |
 +| **BNS 336** | Forgery (fake KBC letterheads, logos) | Up to 2 years; up to 7 years where intended for cheating |
 +| **BNS 61** | Criminal conspiracy to cheat | Punishable as for the offence conspired |
 +
 +**Information Technology Act 2000** (still in force) adds:
 +
 +  * **Section 66D**: Cheating by personation using a computer resource or communication device—imprisonment up to 3 years + fine up to ₹1 lakh.
 +  * **Section 66C**: Identity theft—imprisonment up to 3 years + fine up to ₹1 lakh.
 +
 +Additionally, the **Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act 1978** prohibits any money-circulation or lottery-like scheme demanding payment to claim prizes.
 +
 +> **Most citizens miss this** — Additional cognizable sections can be invoked **even after** the initial FIR. Ask the Investigating Officer in writing to add the relevant BNS / IT Act provisions, or file a supplementary complaint, and the investigation can proceed on the wider set of charges under the applicable BNSS provisions.
 +
 +===== Immediate action checklist (first 72 hours) =====
 +
 +If you have already paid money to a KBC scam, time is critical. Funds move through mule accounts within hours — the first hour after payment (the "golden hour") is when a freeze is most likely to succeed.
 +
 +==== Step 1: Stop further payments ====
 +
 +Do not pay any "refundable security deposit" or "last clearance fee." Scammers often pose as "advocates" or "RBI officers" after the first payment.
 +
 +==== Step 2: Freeze the recipient account ====
 +
 +  - **Call 1930** (National Cyber Crime Helpline) immediately. Provide the transaction ID (UPI or NEFT reference).
 +  - The helpline escalates to the recipient bank's nodal officer, who can place a temporary hold under the RBI's fraud-risk-management framework.
 +  - Simultaneously file the complaint online on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (see Step 3), which itself triggers a bank lien request.
 +
 +==== Step 3: Lodge cyber-crime complaint online ====
 +
 +  - Visit **https://cybercrime.gov.in** (National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, run by the Ministry of Home Affairs).
 +  - Select "Report Other Cyber Crime" → "Financial Fraud" → "Fraud Call/Vishing."
 +  - Upload screenshots, transaction receipts, caller details.
 +  - Note the acknowledgment number.
 +
 +==== Step 4: File zero-FIR at nearest police station ====
 +
 +Under **BNSS 2023 section 173**, any police station must register an FIR for a cognizable offence (including cheating under BNS 318), and a zero-FIR can be filed irrespective of where the offence occurred. The FIR is then transferred to the jurisdictional Cyber Crime Cell. Carry:
 +
 +  - Two printed copies of the NCRP acknowledgment
 +  - Bank statement showing debits
 +  - Screenshots of WhatsApp/SMS messages
 +
 +> **Do this immediately** — If the police refuse to register the FIR, use **BNSS 2023 section 173(4)**: send the substance of your complaint, in writing and by post, to the Superintendent of Police concerned, who must either investigate or direct an investigation. If that does not work, you may approach the jurisdictional Magistrate under **BNSS section 175(3)**.
 +
 +==== Step 5: Request chargeback from your bank ====
 +
 +If payment was made via credit card or UPI, raise a dispute/chargeback with your bank as early as possible. Under the RBI circular on **Customer Protection – Limiting Liability of Customers in Unauthorised Electronic Banking Transactions** (6 July 2017), a customer bears **zero liability** for an unauthorised electronic transaction reported to the bank within **3 working days** of receiving the communication. Attach the FIR copy and the NCRP acknowledgment.
 +
 +===== Filing FIR and cyber-crime complaint (step-by-step) =====
 +
 +**FIR drafting essentials:**
 +
 +  - **Narrative:** "I, [Your Name], resident of [Address], hereby lodge a complaint that on [Date], I received a WhatsApp message from number +91-XXXXXXXXXX falsely claiming I had won ₹[Amount] in KBC lottery..."
 +  - **Sections to invoke:** BNS 318(4), 319, 336; IT Act 66D, 66C.
 +  - **Prayer:** "...request registration of FIR, investigation, arrest of accused, and recovery of ₹[Amount]."
 +
 +**Sample FIR text:**
 +
 +<code>
 +To,
 +The Station House Officer,
 +Cyber Crime Police Station,
 +[City], [State]
 +
 +Subject: FIR against unknown persons for KBC lottery fraud
 +
 +Respected Sir/Madam,
 +
 +I, Ramesh Kumar, S/o Late Shyam Lal, aged 42, resident of 12/3 Mahavir Nagar, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482001, mobile 9876543210, hereby lodge a formal complaint as follows:
 +
 +1. On 15th April 2026, I received a WhatsApp message from number +91-9123456789 stating: "Congratulations! You have won ₹25,00,000 in KBC Lottery Draw 2026. Contact Mr. Sharma at 9812345678 for claim process."
 +
 +2. I called the number. The person identified himself as "Advocate R.K. Sharma" and stated I must pay ₹47,000 as "Income Tax Advance" to release the prize. He sent a fake letterhead bearing Sony TV and KBC logos.
 +
 +3. Under the false belief that the prize was genuine, I transferred ₹47,000 via UPI (Transaction ID: 234567890123) to account number 1234567890 (IFSC: SBIN0001234, State Bank of India, Patna branch) on 16th April 2026 at 11:30 AM.
 +
 +4. Upon later verification with Sony Entertainment Television, I was informed that KBC does not conduct any lottery and the communication was fraudulent.
 +
 +5. I immediately called 1930 and lodged a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
 +
 +6. The accused have committed offences punishable under:
 +   - Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 sections 318(4), 319, 336
 +   - Information Technology Act 2000 sections 66C, 66D
 +
 +I request you to kindly register an FIR, investigate the matter, arrest the accused, and recover the defrauded amount.
 +
 +Yours faithfully,
 +Ramesh Kumar
 +Date: 17th April 2026
 +Place: Jabalpur
 +</code>
 +
 +> **Citizen tip** — Attach a printed copy of the current fraud advisory from Sony's verified website as an exhibit to strengthen your FIR. A contemporaneous corporate disclaimer warning the public against fake lotteries helps establish that the communication was fraudulent.
 +
 +===== Recovery routes: Chargeback, consumer forum, civil suit =====
 +
 +==== Route 1: Bank chargeback and RBI escalation ====
 +
 +You can dispute unauthorised or fraudulent transactions with your bank under the RBI's customer-protection framework (circular of 6 July 2017). Submit:
 +
 +  - Chargeback request letter to your bank (visit branch or use the net-banking dispute module)
 +  - Copy of FIR
 +  - NCRP acknowledgment
 +  - Screenshots of scam communication
 +
 +If the dispute is denied, the bank must provide a written reason, which you can use in a consumer complaint. If the bank does not resolve the grievance, escalate to the **RBI Ombudsman under the Reserve Bank – Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2026** (RB-IOS 2026, in force 1 July 2026; replaces the 2021 scheme) at **https://cms.rbi.org.in** — free of cost. Complain to the bank first; if it does not reply within 30 days (or you are unsatisfied), file with the Ombudsman within 90 days. Toll-free: **14448**.
 +
 +==== Route 2: Consumer complaint under CPA 2019 ====
 +
 +The **Consumer Protection Act 2019** permits complaints against:
 +
 +  - **Your bank** (if it failed to act on a timely request to freeze the recipient account)
 +  - **Payment gateway / UPI app** (if it denied chargeback without valid reason)
 +  - **Telecom provider** (for allowing unregistered telemarketers to send bulk SMS)
 +
 +**Jurisdiction** (under the Consumer Protection (Jurisdiction) Rules, 2021):
 +
 +  - **District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DCDRC)** if claim value ≤ ₹50 lakh
 +  - **State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC)** if ₹50 lakh < claim ≤ ₹2 crore
 +  - **National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC)** if claim value > ₹2 crore
 +  - File within **2 years** of the cause of action (payment date).
 +
 +**Typical relief sought:** Refund of amount + interest from the date of payment + compensation for mental agony and litigation costs, at the Commission's discretion.
 +
 +**Sample consumer complaint excerpt:**
 +
 +<code>
 +BEFORE THE DISTRICT CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION, JABALPUR
 +
 +Complaint Case No. _______/2026
 +
 +Ramesh Kumar                                     ...Complainant
 +  versus
 +1. State Bank of India, Nodal Officer, Fraud Risk Management
 +2. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
 +                                                ...Opposite Parties
 +
 +COMPLAINT UNDER SECTION 35 OF THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, 2019
 +
 +...The Opposite Party No. 1, despite receiving a written request on 16.04.2026 at 12:00 PM (within 30 minutes of the fraudulent transaction) to freeze account XXXXXXX1234, failed to act with due diligence. The Opposite Party No. 2, being the UPI ecosystem owner, denied the chargeback on 10.05.2026 without cogent reasons, thereby committing service deficiency under CPA 2019 section 2(11)...
 +
 +PRAYER: (a) Direct OPs to refund ₹47,000 with interest; (b) Award compensation for mental agony; (c) Award costs.
 +</code>
 +
 +> **Trust signal** — The National Consumer Helpline (**1915** / https://consumerhelpline.gov.in) offers free pre-litigation guidance and can take up grievances against service providers, including banks and payment intermediaries. Always attempt conciliation before filing a formal complaint.
 +
 +==== Route 3: Civil suit for recovery ====
 +
 +If the fraudster's identity is known (e.g., a mule account holder is arrested), you can file a civil suit for money recovery—including a summary suit under Order 37 of the Code of Civil Procedure 1908 where the claim is on a recognised basis—in the competent civil court. Limitation for a suit founded on fraud generally runs from the date the fraud is discovered (see the Limitation Act 1963).
 +
 +===== Government complaint channels and RTI leverage =====
 +
 +**Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB)**
 +
 +Sony Entertainment Television operates under the broadcasting framework administered by the MIB. You can raise a complaint under the **Cable Television Networks Rules 1994** if the scam exploited broadcast content (e.g., deepfake clips of Amitabh Bachchan), using the MIB's grievance channels.
 +
 +**Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) / DoT**
 +
 +If scam SMS/calls came from unregistered Sender IDs or spoofed numbers, file a complaint under the **Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations 2018** via the DND service / TRAI's complaint channels (https://trai.gov.in) and the DoT's Sanchar Saathi portal (https://sancharsaathi.gov.in) for reporting suspected fraud communications.
 +
 +**RTI leverage:**
 +
 +Use the [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]] and [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/pio-reply-checker|PIO Reply Checker]] to:
 +
 +  - Ask the **jurisdictional police PIO**: "Total number of KBC scam FIRs registered in [District] from Jan–Dec 2026, number of charge-sheets filed, and amount recovered."
 +  - Ask the **State Cyber Crime Cell PIO**: "List of mule bank accounts frozen in KBC scam cases in 2026, with bank name and freeze duration."
 +  - Ask the **RBI (Department of Payment and Settlement Systems)**: "Action-taken reports against banks that failed to freeze accounts within the timelines under the applicable fraud-risk-management framework."
 +
 +**Sample RTI application:**
 +
 +<code>
 +To,
 +The Public Information Officer,
 +Cyber Crime Wing, Madhya Pradesh Police,
 +Police Headquarters, Bhopal – 462011
 +
 +Subject: RTI application under Section 6(1) of the RTI Act 2005
 +
 +1. Total number of FIRs registered under BNS section 318(4) and IT Act section 66D related to KBC / lottery scams in Jabalpur district from 1st January 2026 to 30th June 2026.
 +
 +2. Number of charge-sheets filed in such cases during the same period.
 +
 +3. Total monetary value defrauded in these cases and amount recovered and returned to victims.
 +
 +4. Details of bank accounts frozen by Cyber Crime Wing in connection with KBC scam cases, including bank name, account number, and freeze duration.
 +
 +5. Copies of all circulars issued by Cyber Crime Wing to banks regarding KBC scam prevention in 2026.
 +
 +Application fee: ₹10 (Cash / IPO No. XXXXXX)
 +
 +Applicant: Ramesh Kumar
 +Address: 12/3 Mahavir Nagar, Jabalpur – 482001
 +Mobile: 9876543210
 +Date: 1st July 2026
 +</code>
 +
 +> **Most citizens miss this** — If the PIO does not reply within 30 days, file a **First Appeal under RTI Act 2005 section 19(1)** within 30 days of the deadline. A well-framed appeal that points to the specific statutory timelines the PIO has breached stands a strong chance of success. See [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/rti-act-2005-complete-guide|RTI Act 2005 Complete Guide]] for templates.
 +
 +===== Evidence collection and documentation protocol =====
 +
 +Courts and consumer forums require **contemporaneous evidence**. Collect:
 +
 +**Digital evidence:**
 +
 +  - **Screenshots** (full screen, showing date-time) of WhatsApp/SMS messages. Use your device's built-in screen recorder.
 +  - **Call recordings**, where recorded by a participant to the call, using a call-recorder app.
 +  - **Transaction receipts** from the UPI app, bank SMS, email confirmations.
 +  - **IP address logs** (which can be sought from the platform through legal process if the fraudster used WhatsApp Web).
 +
 +**Physical evidence:**
 +
 +  - Printouts of all digital evidence.
 +  - Bank statement (certified copy from branch) highlighting debits.
 +  - Call Detail Records (CDR) from your telecom operator (sought via written application).
 +
 +**Chain of custody:**
 +
 +  - Create a **"Scam Evidence Folder"** (physical + cloud backup).
 +  - Number each page sequentially (Page 1/25, Page 2/25...).
 +  - Prepare an **index** (Exhibit-A: Screenshot of first WhatsApp message; Exhibit-B: UPI receipt...).
 +
 +**Electronic-records certificate (for WhatsApp screenshots and other digital evidence):**
 +
 +To make digital evidence admissible, the **Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 section 63** requires a certificate identifying the device and the process of capture and confirming that the output is authentic. This replaced section 65B of the Indian Evidence Act 1872 from 1 July 2024; the accompanying certificate is furnished under **section 63(4) of the BSA**. Obtain this certificate in the prescribed form along with the electronic record.
 +
 +> **Do this immediately** — Capture and preserve all screenshots and receipts at the earliest, before any device reset or app uninstall. In //Arjun Panditrao Khotkar v. Kailash Kushanrao Gorantyal// (2020) 7 SCC 1, the Supreme Court held that the certificate for electronic records (then under section 65B(4) of the Evidence Act, now under section 63(4) of the BSA, 2023) is **mandatory** where the original device is not produced in court—so secure the certificate early.
 +
 +===== Case-law and legal principles on lottery fraud =====
 +
 +The following settled principles help victims of cyber-enabled lottery fraud:
 +
 +**Where you can complain (territorial jurisdiction).**
 +For cyber-enabled fraud, a victim can lodge the complaint and FIR where they reside or where any part of the offence occurred, not only where the fraudster or the server is located. The BNSS retains broad provisions on the place of inquiry and trial, and a zero-FIR under section 173 can be registered at any police station. In practice this means you need not travel to the fraudster's location—file at your local Cyber Crime Cell.
 +
 +**Misuse of a celebrity name or image.**
 +Using a celebrity's name, image, or a manipulated/deepfake clip to induce payment can amount to cheating by personation (BNS 319) and, where a computer or communication device is used, an offence under IT Act section 66D. If the scam used Amitabh Bachchan's photo or a deepfake video, those provisions can be invoked alongside BNS 318(4).
 +
 +**Consent obtained by deception.**
 +A payment made because the victim was deceived is not free, informed consent; money parted with under fraudulent inducement is recoverable through criminal restitution and civil remedies. This is why voluntarily transferring money to a scammer does not bar recovery. Frame the facts around deception, inducement, and parting with property, and let the Commission or court apply the binding law.
 +
 +===== Myth vs reality: KBC scam edition =====
 +
 +^ Myth ^ Reality ^
 +| KBC conducts a phone/SMS lottery every year | KBC has **never** conducted a public lottery. All contestants audition via the Sony LIV app or on-ground events. Any lottery message is fake. |
 +| Paying "tax clearance" secures the prize | Legitimate winnings have TDS deducted **at source** by the payer. No genuine winner ever pays tax **before** receiving the prize. |
 +| The fraudster's use of the Sony logo proves authenticity | Logo forgery is a criminal offence under BNS 2023 section 336 (forgery). Sony issues public notices that its trademarks are misused; check Sony's official website for the current advisory. |
 +| Police won't register an FIR for "small" amounts like ₹10,000 | Under BNSS 2023 section 173, police **must** register an FIR for all cognizable offences regardless of amount. Refusal can be escalated to the Superintendent of Police under section 173(4). |
 +| Only the account holder is guilty; I can't claim from the bank | A bank can be liable for service deficiency if it fails to act on a timely freeze request; consumer forums can award refunds and compensation in deserving cases. |
 +| Once money is transferred via UPI, it's gone forever | Reporting fast—ideally within the first hour via 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in—gives the best chance of a lien before funds are withdrawn. Even later, partial recovery is sometimes possible through investigation and court attachment. |
 +
 +===== Frequently asked questions =====
 +
 +==== Can I file an FIR if the fraudster used a foreign WhatsApp number? ====
 +
 +Yes. Indian police can register and investigate a cyber offence where the victim is in India, regardless of where the server or accused is located. Mention the international number in your FIR; the Cyber Crime Cell can coordinate with central agencies and, where needed, international channels.
 +
 +==== How long does a cyber-crime investigation take? ====
 +
 +Investigation timelines vary by case complexity and the strength of digital evidence. You can file an RTI asking the Investigating Officer's PIO for the status of the investigation periodically.
 +
 +==== Will I get my money back if the accused is arrested? ====
 +
 +Arrest does not automatically trigger a refund. You can pursue recovery through:
 +
 +  - Attachment/seizure of the accused's assets and restitution of property under the applicable BNSS provisions.
 +  - A victim-compensation claim under the relevant State victim-compensation scheme framed under the BNSS.
 +  - Civil recovery proceedings in parallel.
 +
 +Ask your investigating officer and a consumer/civil lawyer which routes apply on your facts.
 +
 +==== Can I claim compensation if I voluntarily paid the scammer? ====
 +
 +Yes. The law distinguishes "voluntary" payment from "informed consent." Where consent is obtained by deception it is not free consent, so money parted with under fraudulent inducement is recoverable through criminal restitution and civil remedies.
 +
 +==== What if the scammer threatens me after I file a complaint? ====
 +
 +Report the threats to the police; criminal intimidation is a separate cognizable offence under the BNS, and you can seek police protection. Keep all threatening messages as evidence.
 +
 +==== Do I need a lawyer to file a consumer complaint? ====
 +
 +No. The **CPA 2019 section 35** permits a complainant to appear in person. Many District Consumer Commissions have help desks. For larger or complex claims, consulting a consumer lawyer can help.
 +
 +==== How do I verify if a Sony number is genuine? ====
 +
 +Use only the contact details published on Sony's official website (sonyliv.com / setindia.com). Treat any number sent to you in a "winning" message as fake, and verify independently through the official site rather than calling the number in the message.
 +
 +==== What is the role of the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal? ====
 +
 +The NCRP (https://cybercrime.gov.in), run by the **Ministry of Home Affairs**, centralises complaints and coordinates with state police. A financial-fraud complaint there, and a call to 1930, can trigger a request to the recipient bank to place a lien on the disputed funds.
 +
 +For related scam types and recovery strategies, see:
 +
 +  - [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/cyber-crime-complaint-india|How to File a Cyber Crime Complaint in India]]
 +  - [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/1930-helpline-cyber-fraud-script|1930 Helpline — Cyber Fraud Reporting Script]]
 +  - [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/cyber-fraud-chargeback-visa-mastercard-rupay-india|Cyber Fraud Chargeback (Visa/Mastercard/RuPay)]]
 +  - [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/cybercrime-portal-vs-police-station-india|Cybercrime Portal vs Police Station]]
 +  - [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/book|The RTI Playbook]]
 +
 +//Last reviewed: 17 July 2026.//
 +
 +{{tag>rti consumer fir cyber-crime scam kbc explained recovery}}