Cyber crime is on the rise in India, be it UPI frauds, fake trading platforms, OTP scams, or phishing attacks. Yet, despite the growing awareness, many victims do not report a complaint and keep thinking, ‘Should I report cyber crime‘. Let’s uncover the reason for delay in reporting in cyber crime and why immediate action can make all the difference.
Why Victims Delay Reporting Cyber Crime?
However, there is no specific cyber crime time limit, but reporting the complaint as quickly as possible can help you recover losses.
Unfortunately, many people avoid complaining, making scammers more powerful.
Below are some of the most common reasons for delays in reporting cyber crime.
1. Lack of Awareness About Where to Report
One of the most common reasons for the delay is not knowing where to report cyber crime. Most victims are unaware of platforms like:
- Cyber Crime Portal.
- They are clueless that they can reach out to local police as well.
By the time they figure it out, the damage is already done.
2. Fear of Legal Procedures or Police Involvement
Many victims fear that reporting cybercrime might involve lengthy legal processes, court visits, or interactions with police. This fear often leads them to stay silent or postpone action.
But the truth is, most of the cyber crime complaints are raised and resolved online without visiting a police station or any office offline.
3. Embarrassment or Shame
Victims often feel ashamed of being tricked, especially in scams involving romance fraud, investment fraud, or social media hacks. This emotional barrier causes hesitation in seeking help.
But it is important to know that you are not alone. Your one step can set an example for others to raise their voice against such fraudsters who have not stopped cheating people online.
This embarrassment has become the reason for the death of an elderly couple, who, after falling prey to a digital arrest scam, committed suicide.
This heartbreaking case highlights how fear, confusion, and a lack of awareness can prevent the timely reporting of cyber crimes, leading to irreversible consequences.
4. Underestimating the Crime
Some believe the amount lost is too small or that the issue is “not serious enough” to report, especially in cases of:
- OTP misuse
- Small unauthorized UPI transactions
- Hacked social media accounts
But small frauds are often part of larger scam networks. Reporting even minor incidents helps authorities track patterns.
5. Not Preserving Evidence on Time
Delay in collecting or preserving screenshots, chat logs, and transaction IDs often results in weak cases. Victims waste time “figuring out” what to collect instead of filing first.
In this case, take one step at a time, file a cyber crim complaint, and then keep adding details in the follow-up process.
6. Belief That “Nothing Will Happen”
A fatalistic mindset, “The money’s gone anyway, what’s the point?” or ‘What happens after a cyber crime complaint?’
Such a thought causes many to drop the idea of reporting.
Timely complaints (especially within 24–48 hours) can lead to freezing the fraudster’s account and partial or full recovery, especially in UPI or credit card fraud.
How We Help Victims File Complaints Fast
At aseemjuneja.in, we’ve helped victims of online scams file timely complaints across platforms like:
- National Cyber Crime Portal
- Cyber Helpline 1930
- SEBI SCORES (for fake trading tips or advisory scams)
Our assistance has led to over ₹4 crores recovered for victims, all because they took the first step without delay.
If you or someone you know has been scammed:
- Report within 24 hours if possible
- Preserve evidence
- Reach out for professional guidance
Conclusion
Always remember that cybercrime or any kind of fraud cannot be justified by the amount of money lost. So, there is no reason for delay in reporting in cyber crime as such. Take action and file a cybercrime complaint.
In case you have no idea of the process or steps, take our help now.
Just fill in the details in the form below, and a callback will be arranged in no time to assist you with reporting the complaint.
