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Punjab Police launches e-Zero FIR mechanism for swift…

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activeCyber Crime / Digital ArrestPan India

Punjab Police launches e-Zero FIR mechanism for swift action in cyber fraud cases

Punjab Police launched a new e-Zero FIR mechanism to tackle cyber-enabled financial crimes involving fraudulent transactions above Rs 5 lakh. The system automatically converts eligible complaints from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or the National Cyber Crime Helpline into e-Zero FIRs, which are then transmitted electronically through the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems to the relevant district or commissionerate cyber crime police stations for immediate investigation.

State

Multiple States

First reported

July 2026

Mechanism launched

e-Zero FIR system

Threshold for e-Zero FIR

Above Rs 5 lakh

Threshold for Mohali State Cyber Crime Police Stat

Rs 1 crore or more

Fraudulent transactions value linked to frozen acc

Around Rs 540.34 crore

Total cybercrime cases registered over past year

62,253

Total accounts frozen over past year

63,749

Total recovery since 2024

Nearly Rs 64 crore

Agency involved

Punjab Police and State Cyber Crime Division

The full story

Everything you need to know about this case, in one place.

According to authorities, complaints involving cyber financial fraud of Rs 1 crore or more are transferred directly to the State Cyber Crime Police Station in Mohali. The mechanism is designed to remove procedural delays in FIR registration, allowing investigating officers to promptly freeze accounts, preserve electronic evidence, and coordinate with financial intermediaries to maximize the recovery of defrauded money. Victims receive immediate notifications regarding the FIR registration, investigating officer details, and statutory formalities.

Reports indicate that over the past year, police froze 63,749 accounts linked to fraudulent transactions worth approximately Rs 540.34 crore and registered 62,253 cybercrime cases across the state. Since 2024, nearly Rs 64 crore has been recovered and refunded to victims, with specific regional breakdowns highlighting high numbers of frozen accounts in districts like Jalandhar Commissionerate, Kapurthala, and Hoshiarpur.

In a separate cyber fraud trend, investigators noted that scammers have begun exploiting a specific government scheme by targeting women through fake registration messages. Fraudsters reportedly send WhatsApp messages and make phone calls asking individuals to register for the scheme, subsequently sharing malicious links containing APK files or screen-mirroring software to hack mobile devices and steal funds from bank accounts.

Not yet reported: The articles do not mention specific suspect identities or ongoing court proceedings against individual cyber fraudsters.

Where the case stands

The latest position in the reports we read.

The e-Zero FIR mechanism is operational and being monitored by the State Cyber Crime Division across Punjab to ensure timely registration, transfer, and investigation of cases.

Who was affected

Described in general terms; we do not name victims.

Citizens across Punjab, including women targeted by fake scheme registration messages and APK file links, who fell victim to cyber financial fraud.

Timeline

Key dates as reported, oldest first.

Since 2024Nearly Rs 64 crore has been recovered and refunded to victims of cyber fraud in the state.

Since January 1, 2025Police recovered and refunded Rs 38.42 crore to victims.

Past yearAuthorities registered 62,253 cybercrime cases and froze 63,749 accounts linked to fraudulent transactions worth around Rs 540.34 crore.

RecentPunjab Police launched the e-Zero FIR mechanism for cyber financial fraud cases involving transactions above Rs 5 lakh.

How the scam worked

The method described in the reports.

Victims report cyber financial fraud through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930.
Complaints involving fraudulent transactions above Rs 5 lakh are automatically converted into e-Zero FIRs.
The e-Zero FIRs are electronically transmitted via CCTNS to the concerned district or commissionerate cyber crime police station.
Complaints involving fraud of Rs 1 crore or more are transferred to the State Cyber Crime Police Station in Mohali.
Investigating officers immediately coordinate with financial intermediaries and banks to freeze fraudulent accounts and digital wallets.
In separate scam methods, fraudsters target citizens using fake registration links containing APK files or screen-mirroring software sent via WhatsApp messages or phone calls to hack devices and siphon money.

Targeted by something similar?

Call 1930 (free, 24x7) straight away, then file at cybercrime.gov.in. Money reported in the first hours is far easier to freeze.

Report it on Report Scams Emergency guide How these scams work

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Sources and further reading

Optional. The full story is above; these are the original reports it was prepared from.

newindianexpress.comOriginal report The New Indian ExpressOpens via Google News

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