Online Betting App Fraud India (2026)

In January 2026, Rajesh Kumar from Pune lost ₹4.87 lakh to “BetWin365,” a fraudulent betting app that locked withdrawals after he deposited money lured by promised 300% returns on IPL bets. Online betting app fraud has become one of India's fastest-growing cyber crimes, with victims losing crores to apps that vanish overnight, trap funds, or operate illegal gambling disguised as gaming-of-skill platforms.

Citizen Crisis Response Network

If you or a family member have lost money to an online betting app, call 1930 (National Cyber Crime Helpline) immediately to freeze transactions. This guide is produced by RTI Wiki to help citizens navigate FIR filing, account freezing, consumer complaints, and recovery procedures under India's 2026 legal framework.

To report online betting app fraud in 2026: (1) Call 1930 within 24 hours to freeze bank accounts and wallets; (2) File FIR online at cybercrime.gov.in citing BNS 2023 Sec. 318(4) (cheating) and Sec. 319 (cheating by personation); (3) Report to the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission under the Consumer Protection Act 2019 for deficiency in service; (4) Inform your Payment Service Provider and bank in writing to preserve evidence and flag the fraudulent transaction (FIR registered under BNSS 2023 Sec. 173); (5) Use MeitY's Sanchar Saathi portal to block SIM cards used by fraudsters; (6) File RTI to local Cyber Crime Police Station for investigation status; (7) Pursue civil recovery under Code of Civil Procedure 1908 Order XXXVII for summary suits.

• How online betting app fraud works in 2026
• Legal framework: BNS, BNSS, IT Act, Consumer Protection Act
• Step-by-step reporting process (FIR, NCRP, bank, consumer forum)
• Freezing accounts and stopping further loss
• Evidence collection and documentation
• Consumer forum complaints and refund claims
• Criminal prosecution and police investigation
• Recovery procedures and civil remedies
• Prevention checklist for 2026
• Myth vs reality: betting app fraud
• Frequently asked questions
• Sample FIR, consumer complaint, legal notice

Online betting app fraud typically unfolds in four stages. First, victims discover the app through Instagram, Telegram, or WhatsApp groups promising “guaranteed returns” on cricket, football, or casino bets. The app interface appears professional, often mimicking legitimate gaming platforms.

Second, initial deposits of ₹500-₹5,000 are accepted and small “wins” are credited to the in-app wallet, creating trust. Victims are encouraged to deposit larger sums—₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh—to unlock “VIP prediction panels” or “premium betting algorithms.”

Third, when victims attempt withdrawal, the app demands “tax payment” (18-30% of winnings), “security deposits,” or “membership upgrades.” Each payment triggers new demands. The app may show inflated wallet balances but never processes withdrawals.

Fourth, the app disappears—domain goes offline, customer support stops responding, Telegram groups are deleted. Victims realize they've been defrauded only after losing substantial amounts.

The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs records online financial fraud, including betting and investment-app scams, as one of the fastest-growing categories of cyber crime complaints received on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

Warning — No legitimate betting or gaming app will ask you to pay “tax” or “withdrawal fees” before releasing your funds. All such demands are fraud indicators under BNS 2023 Sec. 318(4).

The fraud operates through layered deception. Apps use fake SEBI registrations, fabricated GST numbers, and cloned logos of real companies. Customer support uses Indian phone numbers, speaks Hindi/regional languages, and shares photoshopped bank statements of “successful withdrawals” to build credibility.

Many apps embed malware that harvests contact lists, SMS OTPs, and banking app credentials. This secondary fraud layer enables account takeover fraud. For wider help with cyber and financial fraud, see the Citizen Crisis Response Network hub at https://righttoinformation.wiki/citizen-crisis-response-network

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (BNS) replaced the Indian Penal Code with effect from July 1, 2024. Key sections applicable to betting app fraud:

• Section 318(4) — Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property: Whoever, by deceiving any person, fraudulently or dishonestly induces the person so deceived to deliver any property, commits this aggravated form of cheating (the successor to IPC Section 420). Punishment: imprisonment up to 7 years and fine.
• Section 319 — Cheating by personation: Cheating by pretending to be some other person or using a false identity. Punishment: imprisonment up to 5 years, or fine, or both.
• Section 336 — Forgery: Making a false document or electronic record (e.g. fake GST certificates, SEBI registrations). Where the forgery is intended for cheating, punishment extends to imprisonment up to 7 years and fine.
• Section 340 — Using as genuine a forged document or electronic record known to be forged. Punishable in the same manner as forgery of that document.

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 (BNSS) replaced the CrPC. Key provisions:

• Section 173 — Registration of information in cognizable cases (FIR). It also gives statutory recognition to the “Zero FIR”: any police station must record the information regardless of where the offence took place, and later transfer it to the jurisdictional station.
• Section 193 — Report of the police officer on completion of investigation (the charge sheet / final report).
• Section 107 — Attachment, forfeiture or restoration of property: on the investigating officer's application, the Magistrate may order attachment of property reasonably believed to be proceeds of crime, and direct its rateable distribution to the victims.

Information Technology Act 2000 (IT Act):

• Section 66C — Identity theft. Punishment: imprisonment up to 3 years + fine up to ₹1 lakh.
• Section 66D — Cheating by personation using computer resources. Punishment: imprisonment up to 3 years + fine up to ₹1 lakh.

Consumer Protection Act 2019:

• Pecuniary jurisdiction (as revised by the 2021 Rules) — District Commission: claims up to ₹50 lakh; State Commission: above ₹50 lakh up to ₹2 crore; National Commission: above ₹2 crore.
• Section 2(11) — “Deficiency” includes any shortcoming, inadequacy or imperfection in a service, and covers denial of service — which applies when a betting app refuses a legitimate withdrawal.
• Section 100 — The Act's remedies are in addition to, and not in derogation of, any other law, so a consumer complaint can run alongside a criminal case.

Most citizens miss this — Betting app fraud is both a criminal offence (BNS 2023) AND a consumer complaint (CPA 2019). You can pursue both simultaneously. Criminal prosecution punishes the fraudster; consumer complaint gets you refund + compensation.

Where a digital platform actively holds user funds and facilitates the transaction rather than acting as a passive intermediary, it cannot automatically disclaim responsibility — a principle that is relevant when a betting app collects and traps users' money.

Within first 24 hours:

1. Call 1930 (National Cyber Crime Helpline). Operator will guide you to freeze linked bank accounts and wallets. This call is recorded and serves as evidence of prompt reporting.

2. File online complaint at https://cybercrime.gov.in (National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal—NCRP). Select category: “Online Financial Fraud” → “Fraud Call/Demat-Depository Fraud.” Portal auto-generates acknowledgment number. Portal is operated by Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Home Affairs, accessible at https://www.mha.gov.in/cybercrime

3. Register FIR at nearest Cyber Crime Police Station or online through state police portal (e.g., Maharashtra: https://citizen.mahapolice.gov.in). Insist on FIR under BNS 2023 Sec. 318(4), 319, IT Act Sec. 66C, 66D. Police must register under BNSS 2023 Sec. 173 (cognizable offence). If the offence took place elsewhere, the same Sec. 173 lets any police station record a “Zero FIR” and transfer it to the jurisdictional station.

4. Inform your bank in writing (email + registered post). Ask the bank to flag the transaction as fraudulent and to attempt a hold/reversal of funds still with the beneficiary. Under the RBI's customer-protection framework on limiting liability in unauthorised electronic banking transactions, a customer who reports promptly and is not at fault is entitled to have the disputed amount reversed where the bank or payment system failed to prevent the fraud.

Within 7 days:

5. Collect evidence: App screenshots (before it vanishes), chat logs, transaction receipts, bank statements, Telegram/WhatsApp messages, email communications. Save in PDF + cloud backup.

6. File complaint with Payment Service Provider: If you paid via Paytm/PhonePe/Google Pay, file fraud complaint in-app. Payment aggregators must investigate under RBI guidelines.

7. Submit consumer complaint: Approach District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (claim <₹1 crore) or State Commission (₹1-10 crore) under Consumer Protection Act 2019. Complaint format provided below.

Do this immediately — Take screenshots of the betting app showing your wallet balance, transaction history, and any “tax demand” messages BEFORE the app goes offline. This evidence is critical for both FIR and consumer complaint.

Within 30 days:

8. Follow up with police: File RTI application to Cyber Crime Police Station asking investigation status, arrested accused details, chargesheet timeline. Use our RTI drafter tool at https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/rti-assistant for a ready format.

9. Legal notice to app operators: Send through advocate to last known address/email. Demand refund within 15 days, citing BNS Sec. 318(4) and the deficiency in service under the Consumer Protection Act 2019 (Sec. 2(11)). Format below.

The 1930 helpline connects to the Citizen Financial Cyber Frauds Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS), which is integrated with banks, wallets and payment gateways across the country. When you report fraud:

• Immediate hold: Transaction is flagged in real-time. If funds are still in the fraudster's account, they can be frozen.
• Inter-bank coordination: Your bank, the beneficiary bank, and intermediary banks receive an automated alert.
• Reversal window: The sooner you report (ideally within the first few hours, and within 24 hours), the higher the chance funds are still recoverable before they are siphoned through mule accounts.

Under BNSS 2023 Sec. 107, the investigating officer can apply to the jurisdictional Magistrate to order:

• Attachment of fraudster's bank accounts, cryptocurrency wallets, UPI IDs.
• Suspension of payment gateway merchant IDs used by betting app.
• Freezing of domain name registration and hosting services.

You must also inform:

• TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority): Report phone numbers used by fraudsters via Sanchar Saathi portal (https://sancharsaathi.gov.in). TRAI will block SIM cards under Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations 2018.
• Domain registrar: File abuse complaint if app used .in domain (registry: National Internet Exchange of India). For international domains (.com/.net), report to ICANN via registrar's abuse email.

Citizen tip — If fraudsters contacted you via Telegram, report the group/channel to [email protected] with screenshots. Telegram suspends accounts violating Terms of Service within 48-72 hours, preserving evidence for police.

Under the Reserve Bank of India's customer-protection framework on limiting customer liability in unauthorised electronic banking transactions, a customer who reports promptly and is not at fault is generally entitled to a full reversal of the disputed amount where the loss arose from a deficiency on the part of the bank or the payment system. This is one of the reasons that payment aggregators which onboarded fraudulent betting-app merchants without proper checks can be drawn into liability.

Evidence checklist for police investigation and consumer complaint:

Primary evidence:

• Full bank/UPI transaction history showing deposits to betting app (PDF from bank).
• Screenshots of betting app interface: homepage, wallet balance, bet history, withdrawal request, “tax demand” messages.
• Complete chat history with customer support (WhatsApp/Telegram): export chat as .txt + screenshots.
• Email communications: account registration, password reset, promotional offers, support responses.

Secondary evidence:

• Advertisement source: Instagram post, YouTube video, Telegram group link (screenshot + URL).
• App download source: Google Play Store page, APK file (if sideloaded), app metadata.
• Refer-and-earn records: If you referred others or were referred (helps establish the organised, multi-victim nature of the cheating under BNS 2023).
• Identity documents demanded by app: PAN, Aadhaar, bank statement uploads (proves intent to commit identity theft under IT Act Sec. 66C).

Technical evidence:

• Domain WHOIS data: Use https://whois.net to capture registrant details before domain is suspended.
• App APK forensics: If you have the .apk file, submit to police cyber forensics lab. Reveals server IPs, API endpoints, malware signatures.
• Payment gateway merchant ID: Visible in bank statement—critical for tracing money flow.

Trust signal — Police investigations succeed when victims provide structured evidence. Create a folder with 6 sub-folders: (1) Transactions, (2) App screenshots, (3) Chats, (4) Emails, (5) Ads, (6) Technical. Submit USB drive + printed index to investigating officer. This professionalism expedites investigation.

For consumer complaint, attach:

• Copy of FIR (mandatory under Consumer Protection Rules 2021).
• Transaction proof (bank statement certified by bank manager).
• Legal notice sent to betting app operators (postal receipt + email delivery report).
• Affidavit stating facts (on ₹100 stamp paper, notarized).

Under the Consumer Protection Act 2019, betting app fraud can be framed as a “deficiency” in service (Sec. 2(11)) and an “unfair trade practice” (Sec. 2(47)). You can claim:

• Full refund of deposited amount.
• Interest at 9% p.a. from date of deposit till payment.
• Compensation for mental agony: ₹25,000-₹1 lakh (forum discretion).
• Litigation cost: ₹10,000-₹50,000.

Jurisdiction:

• District Commission: Claims where the consideration paid is up to ₹50 lakh.
• State Commission: Consideration above ₹50 lakh and up to ₹2 crore (and appeals from the District Commission).
• National Commission: Consideration above ₹2 crore (and appeals from the State Commission).

(These are the pecuniary limits as revised by the Consumer Protection (Jurisdiction) Rules, 2021.)

Respondents to name:

1. The betting app entity (name per app's Terms of Service).
2. Payment gateway/aggregator through whom you deposited money (Paytm/Razorpay/Cashfree—they have liability for onboarding fraud merchants).
3. Your bank (if they failed to block suspicious transaction despite RBI norms).

The consumer complaint is filed on Form I (Consumer Protection Rules 2021), available at district consumer forum office or online via eDaakhil portal (https://edaakhil.nic.in).

Most citizens miss this — Payment aggregators like Paytm, Razorpay, PhonePe are liable under RBI's Payment Aggregator Guidelines 2020 for onboarding merchants without proper KYC. If betting app used a payment gateway, name the gateway as co-respondent—they have insurance and will settle faster.

Consumer forums have repeatedly held that a payment intermediary cannot simply disclaim all liability for a fraudulent transaction that its platform facilitated, especially where it failed to carry out proper merchant due diligence. The same logic supports naming the payment gateway in a betting-app fraud complaint.

Sample consumer complaint format provided below.

Once FIR is registered under BNS 2023 Sec. 318(4), police investigation proceeds in phases:

Phase 1: Transaction tracing (7-15 days)

Cyber Cell uses CFCFRMS to trace money flow from your account → payment aggregator → betting app's merchant account → withdrawal accounts (often mule accounts). Banks and payment systems provide the transaction trail to the investigating officer on production requisition during the investigation.

Phase 2: Digital forensics (15-30 days)

App APK is analyzed for server IP, domain registration, API calls. Police coordinate with:

• CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team – India) for domain/IP blocking.
• International agencies (Interpol, FBI cyber division) if servers located abroad.
• Telecom operators for call detail records (CDR) of phone numbers used by fraudsters.

Phase 3: Arrest and seizure (30-90 days)

If investigation identifies accused (often happens when money remained in Indian bank accounts), police execute arrest warrants and seize:

• Mobile phones, laptops, hard drives.
• Bank accounts, cryptocurrency wallets.
• Documents showing organized fraud (multiple victim lists, training manuals for tele-callers).

Phase 4: Chargesheet (90-180 days)

Under BNSS 2023 Sec. 193, the police file the report on completion of investigation (the charge sheet). Where the accused is in custody, the BNSS time limits for completing the investigation (60 or 90 days depending on the offence) apply. The charge sheet lists the accused, the sections invoked, the evidence summary and witness statements.

Phase 5: Trial (12-36 months)

Where designated or fast-track courts hear cyber crime cases, trials can move faster than in regular courts, though outcomes depend heavily on the quality of the digital evidence and whether the accused and the money can be traced.

Do this immediately — File RTI application to Cyber Crime Police Station every 60 days asking: (1) Investigation progress, (2) Accused identified or arrested, (3) Chargesheet filing date, (4) Seized assets. Use the PIO Reply Checker at https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/pio-reply-checker to verify responses. See the full RTI Act guide at https://righttoinformation.wiki/rti-act-2005-complete-guide

If police delay investigation beyond 180 days, file writ petition in High Court under Article 226 (Constitution of India) for mandamus directing investigation completion.

Criminal prosecution punishes fraudsters but doesn't guarantee refund. For money recovery, pursue parallel civil remedies:

1. Summary suit under CPC Order XXXVII

If you have documentary evidence (transaction records, chat logs showing fraud admission), file summary suit in District Court. Court can pass decree within 3-6 months (versus 2-3 years for regular suit). Claim amount: deposited sum + 9% interest + litigation cost.

2. Attachment before judgment under CPC Order XXXVIII Rule 5

If you identify fraudster's assets (property, bank accounts), apply for attachment before judgment. Court can freeze assets pending trial to prevent dissipation.

3. Arbitration (if app had arbitration clause)

Some betting apps include arbitration clauses in Terms of Service. File arbitration notice under Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996 Sec. 21. Arbitration concludes faster (6-12 months) but is expensive (₹50,000-₹2 lakh).

4. Enforcement against payment aggregators

If the payment aggregator is a co-respondent in the consumer complaint, it may choose to settle out of court rather than contest an adverse precedent, which can speed up partial recovery.

5. Victim compensation under BNSS 2023

If the accused is convicted, the court can order the convict to pay compensation to the victim under BNSS Sec. 395. Separately, every State has a victim compensation scheme under BNSS Sec. 396, under which the State or District Legal Services Authority can award compensation — including where the offender is not traced or the case ends in acquittal. Where property has been attached as proceeds of crime under Sec. 107, the court can direct its rateable distribution to victims.

Citizen tip — Keep civil recovery proceedings independent of criminal case. Don't wait for conviction (which may take years). File consumer complaint + summary suit immediately. Recovery from payment gateway/bank happens faster than chasing individual fraudsters.

For cross-border fraud (app operated from Dubai/Singapore/China), enforcement is complex but possible:

• MLAT (Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty): India has Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties with a number of countries; through them, police can request foreign authorities to gather evidence and freeze assets.
• Interpol Red Notice: In serious cases, investigators can route a request through the CBI/Interpol channel for a Red Notice seeking the accused's location and arrest if they travel internationally.
• Civil suit in foreign court: If fraudster has identifiable assets abroad, engage attorney in that jurisdiction. High cost (₹5-10 lakh) makes this viable only for losses >₹25 lakh.

Before downloading any betting/gaming app:

• Verify legality: The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (passed by Parliament and given Presidential assent in August 2025) prohibits “online money games” — any online game played for a fee or with an expectation of winning money or stakes, whether it is described as a game of skill, chance, or both. It also bans advertising and the processing of payments for such games. Offline gambling continues to be governed largely by State laws and the older Public Gambling Act 1867. In short: any app inviting you to deposit money to bet or play for cash winnings is now prohibited, and any app promising “guaranteed returns” is a fraud red flag.
• Be sceptical of “licences”: Claims of a state gaming-commission “licence” (for example from Nagaland or Sikkim) do not make a real-money betting app legal under the 2025 Act. Treat any such badge as a marketing claim, not proof of legality.
• Research online: Search “[app name] + scam” on Google, Twitter, consumer complaint forums. Scam apps have numerous complaints.
• Payment gateway check: Legitimate apps use established gateways (Razorpay, Cashfree, PayU). If app asks for direct bank transfer or cryptocurrency, red flag.

Red flags indicating fraud:

• “Guaranteed” returns, “100% winning formula,” “insider tips.”
• Asking for “tax payment” before withdrawal.
• No physical address, no customer care phone (only Telegram/WhatsApp).
• App not available on Google Play Store (sideload APK).
• Referral bonuses for bringing new users (pyramid scheme).
• Demands Aadhaar/PAN upload for “KYC” (identity theft setup).

Warning — No legitimate financial service in India will ask you to pay “GST” or “income tax” to the service provider before withdrawal. All tax payments go directly to government via GSTN/Income Tax Portal. Any intermediary demanding tax is committing fraud under BNS 2023 Sec. 318(4).

Protective measures:

• Use virtual credit card (VCC) with low limits (₹5,000-₹10,000) for online transactions.Axis Bank, HDFC, ICICI offer instant VCC generation.
• Never share OTP, CVV, debit card PIN with anyone—banks never ask for these.
• Enable transaction alerts on mobile + email (bank SMS + app notifications).
• Use separate email ID for gaming apps (not your primary email linked to banking).

The Citizen Crisis Response Network recommends treating all “investment opportunity” apps with skepticism unless verified through the SEBI registry (for securities) or the RBI list of regulated entities (for lending/payments). Bear in mind that, after the 2025 Act, real-money online gaming itself is prohibited.

For more help with cyber and financial fraud, see:

• https://righttoinformation.wiki/citizen-crisis-response-network

Filing the FIR is the first step for criminal prosecution. For money recovery, you must separately file a consumer complaint (Consumer Protection Act 2019) or a civil suit (CPC Order XXXVII). If the police attach the fraudster's assets, you can seek compensation under BNSS 2023 Sec. 395 (on conviction) or the State victim compensation scheme under Sec. 396. The single biggest factor in actually recovering money is speed: the sooner you report to 1930 and your bank, the better the chance the funds are still in the chain and can be frozen before they are withdrawn.

File FIR citing BNS 2023 Sec. 318(4) and IT Act Sec. 66D. India has Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT) with UAE and Singapore. Police will coordinate through Interpol and request foreign authorities to freeze assets/arrest accused. You can also file consumer complaint against payment gateway used in India—they have liability under RBI Payment Aggregator Guidelines 2020 for onboarding fraudulent merchants. Cross-border recovery takes 12-36 months.

Absolutely NOT. This is a classic fraud indicator. In India, all tax payments go directly to government via GSTN (for GST) or Income Tax e-filing portal (for TDS/income tax). No intermediary ever collects tax on behalf of government. Any app demanding “tax payment” to release your funds is committing fraud under BNS 2023 Sec. 318(4). Report immediately to 1930 and file FIR.

Yes. Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) has blockchain analysis tools (Chainalysis, CipherTrace) that trace cryptocurrency transactions. If you paid via Bitcoin/USDT, provide wallet addresses to police. Many fraudsters convert crypto to INR through Indian exchanges (WazirX, CoinDCX), which must provide KYC data to police under BNSS 2023 Sec. 173. Recovery from crypto is complex but possible if funds haven't moved to cold wallets.

If you genuinely believed the app was legitimate and referred others without knowledge of fraud, you're a victim, not accomplice. However, if you received “referral commissions” and continued promoting app despite knowing it was fraud, you could be charged under BNS 2023 Sec. 318(4) as co-conspirator. Immediately stop referrals, inform friends to file FIR, and include your referral activity details in your own FIR to demonstrate good faith.

File FIR immediately citing IT Act Sec. 66C (identity theft). Then:

1. Lock Aadhaar biometrics: Visit https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in → Aadhaar Services → Lock/Unlock Aadhaar. This prevents misuse for SIM card purchase or bank account opening.

2. PAN misuse complaint: File complaint at https://www.incometax.gov.in → e-Filing → Complaints → PAN Misuse. Income Tax Department will flag your PAN for suspicious activity monitoring.

3. Credit report monitoring: Check CIBIL report monthly for 6 months to detect any fraudulent loans taken in your name.

4. Police intimation: Submit written complaint to local police station + Cyber Cell requesting surveillance of identity misuse. This creates record if future fraud occurs using your credentials.

Timelines vary widely by commission and backlog: District Commission matters (consideration up to ₹50 lakh) commonly take many months to a couple of years for a final order, with the State and National Commissions taking longer. The Consumer Protection Act 2019 sets timelines for admission and disposal, though in practice they are often exceeded. Senior citizens can seek priority listing, and many matters settle once the respondent (especially a payment gateway) receives notice.

Yes. Report via:

• Google Play Store: Open app page → Flag as inappropriate → select “Fraud” → describe issue. Google removes apps violating policy within 7-15 days.
• Apple App Store: Report at https://reportaproblem.apple.com

Also file complaint with Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) at https://meity.gov.in citing IT Act Sec. 69A (power to block apps). MeitY coordinates with Google/Apple to de-list fraud apps. However, most scam betting apps are distributed via APK files (sideload), not official app stores.

Under BNSS 2023 Sec. 173, police MUST register FIR for cognizable offences (betting app fraud is cognizable under BNS Sec. 318(4)). If police refuse:

1. Insist on a Zero FIR under BNSS Sec. 173: any police station in India must record the information regardless of jurisdiction, and then transfer it to the jurisdictional Cyber Cell.

2. Approach the Superintendent of Police: If the station refuses to register the FIR, send a written complaint to the SP (BNSS Sec. 173(4)). The SP, if satisfied a cognizable offence is disclosed, will direct registration or investigate the matter.

3. Judicial Magistrate: Under BNSS Sec. 175(3), approach the Magistrate, who can direct the police to register and investigate. You can also file a private complaint before the Magistrate under BNSS Sec. 223.

4. High Court writ: File writ petition under Article 226 (Constitution) for mandamus directing police to register FIR.

Also file an RTI application to the police station asking the reasons for non-registration of the FIR. Use our RTI drafter tool: https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/rti-assistant

Sample FIR for betting app fraud

To,
The Station House Officer,
Cyber Crime Police Station,
[City/District],
[State] - [PIN]

Subject: FIR for online betting app fraud under BNS 2023 Sec. 318(4), 319 and IT Act 2000 Sec. 66C, 66D

Sir/Madam,

I, [Your Full Name], son/daughter/spouse of [Parent/Spouse Name], aged [Age] years, residing at [Complete Address], Aadhaar No. [XXXX XXXX 1234], mobile [Your Mobile], email [[email protected]], hereby file this complaint regarding online betting app fraud.

FACTS:

1. On [Date], I came across an advertisement for "BetWin365" betting app on Instagram promoting "300% returns on IPL bets with expert predictions."

2. I downloaded the app via APK link shared on Telegram group "VIP Cricket Betting" (group link: t.me/vipbetting123).

3. On [Date], I registered using mobile [Your Mobile] and deposited ₹5,000 via UPI to merchant ID [UPI ID] (transaction UTR: [UTR Number]).

4. The app showed ₹15,000 in my wallet after "successful bets." When I attempted withdrawal on [Date], app demanded 18% GST payment of ₹2,700.

5. I paid ₹2,700 on [Date] (UTR: [UTR Number]). The app then demanded a "security deposit" of ₹25,000 to "unlock premium account."