T.N. government implements e-Zero FIR system for faster action against cyber financial scams

The Tamil Nadu government has implemented the e-Zero FIR system to facilitate the prompt registration and investigation of cyber financial fraud cases reported through the National Cybercrime Helpline 1930. The initiative has been introduced in line with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs’ nationwide efforts to strengthen the response to cyber financial crimes and improve the recovery of defrauded funds.

Director-General of Police/Head of Police Force (DGP/HoPF) Magesh Kumar Agarwal said that under the e-Zero FIR mechanism, cyber financial fraud complaints involving a loss of more than ₹1 lakh, reported through the 1930 helpline, are automatically integrated with the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) — a nationwide digital police portal — for the registration of an e-Zero FIR.

The e-Zero FIR is electronically transferred to the jurisdictional cybercrime police station for investigation and is subsequently converted into a regular FIR by the police station having territorial jurisdiction. Once an e-Zero FIR is registered, the complainant receives an SMS directing them to visit the jurisdictional cybercrime police station within three days to complete the necessary formalities, he said.

As provided under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the complainant must visit the police station concerned within three days to authenticate the electronically submitted complaint and complete the formal registration process.

The e-Zero FIR system has been implemented under Section 173 of the BNSS, which permits information relating to a cognizable offence to be furnished through electronic communication and enables the registration of a Zero FIR irrespective of territorial jurisdiction.

Mr. Agarwal said the system ensures that legal action can begin without delay, even before territorial jurisdiction is determined. “Integration of the 1930 helpline with CCTNS eliminates duplicate data entry, enables faster case registration and seamless jurisdictional transfer, and supports timely investigation, freezing of fraudulent transactions, preservation of digital evidence, and improved recovery of defrauded funds during the critical Golden Hour,” he said.

He added that victims receive an SMS confirming the registration of an e-Zero FIR and directing them to report to the specified cybercrime police station within three days for further proceedings. Apart from the e-Zero FIR mechanism for cyber financial fraud cases involving losses exceeding ₹1 lakh, the public is advised to report all cybercrimes immediately by calling the 1930 helpline.