Cyber Lawyer in Mumbai

Online fraud, hacking, impersonation and online harassment in Mumbai

The cyber problems people in Mumbai report most often involve money leaving their accounts. A caller posing as a courier company, bank official or police officer persuades the victim to share an OTP or install a remote access app. A fake investment or part-time job scheme on a messaging app takes deposits and then disappears. A so-called digital arrest call keeps a person on video for hours while money is transferred. Others face non-financial harm: a social media account is hacked, a fake profile is created in their name, private photos are misused, or they are stalked and threatened online.

These acts are offences under the Information Technology Act, 2000, including identity theft under Section 66C, cheating by personation using a computer resource under Section 66D, and violation of privacy under Section 66E, along with provisions on obscene material. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 adds cheating under Section 318 (old Section 420 IPC), cheating by personation under Section 319, extortion under Section 308 (old Section 384), stalking under Section 78 (old Section 354D) and criminal intimidation under Section 351 (old Section 506). Offences committed before 1 July 2024 continue under the IPC.

For financial fraud, speed is everything. Calling the national helpline 1930 or reporting at cybercrime.gov.in as soon as possible allows the transaction to be flagged so that banks can try to put a hold on the money in the receiving accounts. Victims should also inform their own bank in writing at once, since RBI rules on customer liability for unauthorised electronic transactions give better protection when the bank is told quickly. An advocate can then help with the FIR, follow-up with the investigating officer, and applications before the Magistrate to release frozen amounts.

Where these matters are heard in Mumbai

Cyber offences in the city are investigated by Mumbai Police, which has regional cyber police stations, and complaints can also be lodged at the local police station, which must register an FIR for a cognizable offence, including as a Zero FIR where needed. Complaints made on cybercrime.gov.in are routed to the police for action. Once an FIR is registered, matters such as remand, bail and the release of frozen money come before the Metropolitan Magistrate Courts, including the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court at Esplanade.

Trials of serious offences may go to the City Civil and Sessions Court at Fort or the sessions courts at Dindoshi and Borivali, and the Bombay High Court hears bail appeals, quashing petitions and writ petitions, including those seeking takedown of unlawful content. Claims for compensation for damage caused by unauthorised access to computer systems can be made before the Adjudicating Officer under the IT Act for amounts within its limit. Where a company has mishandled or leaked your personal data, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 provides for complaints to the Data Protection Board of India after the grievance has first been raised with the company. Your advocate will confirm the correct police station and court for your case.

How a cyber matter usually moves in Mumbai

1. Report immediately
   For money fraud, call 1930 or file on cybercrime.gov.in without delay, and inform your bank in writing. In any situation involving threats to your safety, call 112.
2. Preserve the evidence
   Take screenshots of messages, profiles, transaction details and call logs, and note the URLs and phone numbers involved. Do not delete chats or block the fraudster before saving these records.
3. File the police complaint
   Lodge a written complaint at the cyber police station or the local police station and ask for an FIR. Attach your evidence and the acknowledgment number from the online portal.
4. Request platform takedown
   Report fake profiles or harmful content to the platform's grievance officer under the IT Rules. If the platform does not act, further remedies include an appeal to the Grievance Appellate Committee or a petition before the court.
5. Follow the investigation
   The investigating officer may seek bank records and data from platforms. Your advocate can help supply information and track progress, and can apply before the Magistrate for release of any amount frozen in the fraudster's account.
6. Pursue civil or compensation remedies
   Alongside criminal proceedings, you may claim compensation from those responsible, or in some cases challenge the bank's decision on liability. The choice of forum depends on the amount and the facts.

Mumbai: local points to know

• Mumbai Police has regional cyber police stations, and a complaint can also be given at the nearest police station, which must register a cognizable offence and transfer it if needed.
• Applications for release of money frozen in bank accounts are commonly made before the Metropolitan Magistrate with jurisdiction over the police station investigating the case.
• Police records and panchnamas in Mumbai may be prepared in Marathi, so ask for a copy and arrange a translation if needed.
• Many fraud calls targeting Mumbai residents pretend to be from courier services, telecom companies or police units; no genuine officer conducts a digital arrest over video call.
• The Bombay High Court hears writ petitions seeking removal of unlawful content and quashing petitions where the matter has been settled or the FIR is misconceived.

Choosing and working with an advocate

Cyber matters combine criminal procedure, banking rules and technology, so look for an advocate who regularly handles cyber FIRs, applications for release of frozen funds and takedown requests in Mumbai. Verify the advocate's enrolment number with the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa or their State Bar Council. Bring your evidence organised by date, with transaction IDs and screenshots, so the advocate can assess quickly what can still be recovered. If you have already filed on the portal or at a police station, share the acknowledgment so that the advocate can build on it rather than start again.

Agree in writing on the scope, for instance drafting the complaint, appearing before the Magistrate, or a High Court petition, and on the fee for each part. Fees depend on the advocate and the matter. Insist on receipts. Be cautious of anyone who promises recovery of money, since no one can promise that. Mara Vakil helps you book a free consultation with an enrolled advocate and charges clients nothing to find or consult advocates.

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Questions people ask about cyber matters in Mumbai

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This page gives general information about the law in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is not legal advice and is not an advertisement or solicitation by any advocate. Laws and court practice change; confirm details with an advocate before acting. Mara Vakil is a technology platform, not a law firm. Read our disclaimer.