Gujarat Introduces 'Cyber Financial Fraud e-Zero FIR' Service, Allowing Victims to File Complaints from Home

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Monday unveiled the 'Cyber Financial Fraud e-Zero FIR' service in Gandhinagar, a new initiative aimed at speeding up the registration and investigation of cyber financial fraud cases. The system allows victims to begin the complaint process from their homes without needing to visit a police station.

According to a statement from the Gujarat Chief Minister's Office (CMO), complaints lodged through the national cybercrime helpline 1930 will now automatically generate an e-Zero FIR. The FIR will then be forwarded to the appropriate police station, enabling authorities to begin legal proceedings without delay.

Speaking at the launch, Sanghavi said the state government is leveraging technology to make policing more efficient, transparent, and citizen-friendly. He noted that the new system will help cyber fraud victims report incidents remotely while allowing law enforcement to act more quickly, increasing the chances of recovering lost funds. The CMO added that Director General of Police Gyanendra Singh Malik has instructed all field units to treat cyber fraud complaints with urgency and sensitivity to ensure swift justice for affected individuals.

Inspector General of Police and Cyber Centre of Excellence chief Bipin Ahire explained that the e-Zero FIR mechanism has been developed in collaboration with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Once a complaint is received through the 1930 helpline, a Zero FIR will be generated automatically and sent to the relevant police station. Officers will then contact the complainant, gather the necessary information, formally register the FIR as per legal procedures, and immediately begin the investigation.

The CMO also highlighted the success of the state's first e-Zero FIR case. An Ahmedabad resident, who was allegedly duped in a cyber fraud involving a fake "digital arrest" scam, used the new system to report the crime. Acting swiftly on the e-Zero FIR, the Cyber Crime Department managed to prevent the loss of more than ₹15.76 lakh, safeguarding the victim's money.