PUNJAB POLICE LAUNCHES e-ZERO FIR MECHANISM FOR SWIFT ACTION IN CYBER FINANCIAL FRAUD CASES
— NEW MECHANISM DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE DELAYS IN THE REGISTRATION OF FIRS AND ENSURE IMMEDIATE ACTION IN CYBER FINANCIAL FRAUD CASES: DGP GAURAV YADAV
— SPECIAL DGP V NEERAJA URGES CITIZENS TO REPORT CYBER FINANCIAL FRAUDS IMMEDIATELY BY DIALLING HELPLINE 1930 OR AT NCRP PORTAL
CHANDIGARH, July 29 (WISHAVWARTA):- Marking a major milestone in strengthening the State’s response to cyber-enabled financial crimes as desired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police has operationalised the e-Zero FIR mechanism for cyber financial fraud cases involving fraudulent transactions above ₹5 lakh. The mechanism was formally launched on Tuesday, following the issuance of the Standing Order by Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav.
The e-Zero FIR mechanism enables eligible cyber financial fraud complaints reported through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) or the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 to be automatically converted into e-Zero FIRs and electronically transmitted through the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) to the concerned Cyber Crime Police Station in districts or Commissionerates of Police for immediate investigation.
DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav said that as per the Standing Order, complaints involving cyber financial fraud of ₹1 crore or more will be transferred to the State Cyber Crime Police Station, Mohali, for registration and investigation.
He highlighted that the new mechanism has been designed to eliminate delays in the registration of FIRs and ensure immediate action to freeze bank accounts, digital wallets, and other payment instruments used in cyber frauds, preserve electronic evidence, coordinate with financial intermediaries, and initiate prompt investigation to maximise recovery of the defrauded money. “The first few hours after a cyber financial fraud are the most critical for tracing and freezing funds. By enabling automatic registration, the e-Zero FIR system empowers investigating officers to take urgent legal and technical measures without procedural delays,” the DGP added.
Under the system, victims will also be informed immediately about the registration of their e-Zero FIR, details of the concerned Cyber Crime Police Station, the Investigating Officer, and the procedure for completing statutory formalities under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
Special DGP Cyber Crime V Neeraja emphasised that the mechanism strengthens coordination among the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), the Cyber Crime Helpline (1930), CCTNS, banks, financial institutions, telecom service providers, intermediaries and law enforcement agencies, ensuring a faster and more effective response to cyber financial frauds.
The Special DGP appealed to citizens to report cyber financial frauds immediately through the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or the NCRP portal without delay, emphasizing that prompt reporting greatly improves the possibility of freezing fraudulent transactions and recovering the defrauded amount.
Meanwhile, the State Cyber Crime Division, Punjab, will monitor the implementation of the e-Zero FIR mechanism across the State to ensure timely registration, transfer, investigation, and supervision of cyber financial fraud cases.
