Punjab Police rolls out e-Zero FIR system for faster action against cyber fraud cases

Punjab Police has launched an e-Zero FIR mechanism to speed up action on cyber financial fraud cases involving transactions above Rs 5 lakh.

Under this system, eligible complaints filed through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or the National Cyber Crime Helpline no. 1930 are automatically converted into e-Zero FIRs and sent electronically through the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) to the relevant cyber-crime police station for immediate investigation.

The mechanism was formally launched on Tuesday, July 28, after Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav issued a Standing Order. The state’s cyber-crime division will oversee its implementation statewide to ensure timely registration, transfer, investigation and supervision of cases.

He said on Wednesday, July 29, that fraud complaints involving Rs 1 crore or more will be forwarded to the state cyber-crime police station in Mohali for registration and investigation.

He also explained that the mechanism is designed to remove delays in FIR registration and enable swift action to freeze bank accounts, digital wallets and other payment instruments used in fraud. It also preserves electronic evidence and coordinates with financial institutions to speed up the investigations to maximize the recovery of lost funds.

"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 both legal and technical measures without procedural delays," the DGP added.

Victims will be notified immediately once their e-Zero FIR is registered, along with details of the concerned police station, the investigating officer, and the process for completing statutory formalities under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

Special DGP Cyber Crime V Neeraja urged the citizens to report cyber financial fraud immediately through the helpline no. or via the reporting portal, saying that prompt reporting significantly improves the chances of freezing fraudulent transactions and in recovering the lost money.

(With inputs from PTI)