This article has been written by Hema Modi, pursuing a Diploma in Cyber Law, FinTech Regulations and Technology Contracts from LawSikho. It has been edited by Zigishu Singh (Associate, LawSikho) and Smriti Katiyar (Associate, LawSikho).
Table of Contents
Introduction
The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal is a platform through which the citizens of India can report a cyber crime committed against them online. This portal was launched on 30th August, 2019 by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Portal was launched along with the inauguration of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) in New Delhi. The entire idea and scheme of launching and curbing the cyber crimes in India was divided into seven different parts. They are:
- National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
- National Cyber Crime Training Centre
- Cyber Crime Ecosystem Management Unit
- National Cyber Crime Research and Innovation Centre
- National Cyber Crime Forensic Laboratory Ecosystem
- Platform for Joint Cyber Crime Investigation Team
Out of these 7 components, the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal was launched so that the affected citizens could directly, and quickly, report cybercrimes online through the portal. After the reporting, the concerned law enforcement agencies would look into the matter and take prompt actions as per law.
This initiative was launched due to the advancement of technology and sophisticated techniques, due to which the real perpetrators are colourised after they commit crime, and catching hold of them becomes next to impossible. In such cases, grave injustice is done to the victim and he/she has nothing to do but to suffer.
This portal tries to bridge that gap by having a dedicated team of experts and investigators look into the matter urgently and render justice to the affected person/persons.
National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP) is an efficient platform where the government has taken initiative to report cyber crime complaints online. A special focus has been given to the crimes committed against women and children.
How can this portal be used effectively?
Once the victim or any interested party wants to register complaint on the portal, he/she needs to visit, www.cybercrime.gov.in/
Firstly, there is a different tab for reporting women/child-related crime and other cyber-related crimes. One can choose his/her choice in accordance with the crime which has taken place.Â
Then, the victim is asked to provide the basic details of the crime and his/her personal information. Thereafter, the citizens of India can login by filling out the following details as shown in picture:
After registering with the portal, the image provided below opens up.
Here, the victim can provide the details of the incident.
The portal is so effective that it provides the different categories of complaint which includes Online and social media related crime, Hacking, Online Cyber Trafficking, Online Gambling, Ransomware, Cryptocurrency crime, Cyber Terrorism, and any other related crime.
On the other hand, in cases of crime against women and children, the victim has the privilege to mask her name and report it anonymously. This function helps the female victim in a very efficient manner by protecting her identity.
Once all the details are provided along with any evidence or proof of the suspect or the crime committed by him, the complaint is registered and the victim receives the tracking I.D.of his/her reported crime.
The reporter can track the status and know the progress of his report.
The portal works effectively to provide the status and remarks, if any, regarding the process of investigation and catching hold of the actual culprit.
Furthermore, apart from providing an easy platform for immediate action towards cyber crime, the portal also tries to educate the masses by providing basic knowledge and information about different cyber crimes on its platform. For instance, one major crime against women is Online Sextortion which is defined on the portal as “Online Sextortion occurs when someone threatens to distribute private and sensitive material using an electronic medium if he/ she doesn’t provide images of a sexual nature, sexual favours, or money.”
Similarly, the platform provides for the explanation of 24 different crimes like vishing, sexting, smishing, sim swap scam, phishing, spamming, ransomware, website defacement, pharming, cybersquatting and many others. This makes NCCCRP unique and efficient in its own way.
The NCCR Portal is efficacious enough in providing basic online safety tips and safe practices which may help in making the online experience of the users productive. It also contributes towards making citizens aware of the increasing crime rates in relation to cyberspace. According to the portal, safety tips for parents, teens, young adults and organisations, have been provided which, if followed, would safeguard the users from becoming victims of cyber crime.Â
Some of the online safety tips to be followed are:
- One should be mindful of their appearance on video chat & video calls.
- One should not use Smartphone for taking sensitive personal photographs and videos
- All organisations should have clear rules for the use of electronic devices and if any employee is found possessing obscene or indecent content, proper investigation and action should be taken against them.
- One should browse shopping or banking websites or apps only on a device that belongs to him/ her or on a trusted network. Avoid using a friend’s phone, public computer, cyber cafe or free Wi-Fi for sensitive browsing as data can be stolen or copied.
- One should Refrain from sharing your personal information like Phone number, e-mail address, photographs with unknown persons
How effective is it in solving the problem?
According to Ashok Kumar, Director of the Ministry of Home Affairs, about 4 lakh complaints have been registered in less than a year on this platform. This Platform helps them to gain a perspective and wide overview of what kind of crimes are taking place. Pursuant to this, an effective and strong legislative framework can be framed so that the crimes can be reduced in the coming years.
The Ministry of Home Affairs operationalized the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal on 30th August 2019 to provide a centralized mechanism to the citizens for online reporting of all types of cyber crime incidents, with a special focus on cyber crimes against women and children. Incidents reported on this portal, their conversion into FIRs and subsequent action thereon are handled by the State/UT law enforcement agency concerned as per the provisions of the law. As per the data maintained, since its inception 3,17,439 cyber crime incidents and 5,771 FIRs have been registered upto 28.02.2021 in the country which inter-alia includes, 21,562 cyber crime incidents and 87 FIRs registered in Karnataka, and 50,806 cyber crime incidents and 534 FIRs registered in Maharashtra.
Improvisations in the Portal
Recently, The Central Government operationalised the Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System wherein the national helpline number “155260” was activated for reporting financial loss due to cyber fraud. It is a dedicated helpline number working in 26 out of 29 states in India wherein the citizens can immediately report such crime. The investigation team of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre along with the active support of all the major banks including Reserve Bank of India takes control of the case.
Reportedly, this dedicated system of helpline number has helped to save approximately Rs. 1.85 crore of defrauded money.
How does this platform operate?
- Once the victim informs the concerned person about the cyber financial fraud and provides the basic information, the System is updated with the same and a ticket is generated.
- The ticket generated is floated to the concerned bank and other online payment platforms to check where the defrauded money is present.
- Once it is identified, the money is kept on hold so that the fraudsters cannot withdraw the money and the victim is saved from such cyber-frauds.
In this way, if any amount of money is withdrawn from the victim’s e-wallet, bank accounts or any other source, then it can be stopped and further the real culprit can be traced out to curb future frauds as such.
Following this methodology, Delhi and Rajasthan have saved Rs. 58 lakh and Rs. 53 lakh reportedly.
Conclusion
However, despite so many advantageous features which can be a boon for India in order to reduce the rising rate of cyber crimes in India, it is in the hands of the investigative agencies who are responsible for taking immediate actions and working for the same. If there is delay in carrying out the investigation process, the matter goes out of hand and the real culprit is not questioned or sentenced for his crime.
Therefore, the need of the hour is to be vigilant and to act vigilant, so that the growth of cyber crime reports is reduced and the citizens become more responsible in using cyberspace.
References
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, https://cybercrime.gov.in/
- Govt. Portal records over 4 lakh cybercrime complaints in less than a year, https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-govt-records-over-4-lakh-cybercrime-complaints-in-less-than-a-year/388339
- The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/the-National-Cyber-Crime-Reporting-Portal
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal launched for citizens to report cyber crimes online, https://www.news18.com/news/tech/national-cyber-crime-reporting-portal-launched-for-citizens-to-report-cyber-crimes-online-2454259.html
- MHA tells states to register more FIRs for cybercrime, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/mha-tells-states-to-register-more-firs-for-cyber-crime/article32997209.ece
- New Facility to tackle cyber crimes, https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-facility-to-tackle-cyber-crimes
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