E-Zero FIR System Launched for Swift Crackdown on Cyber Frauds

E-Zero FIR System Launched for Swift Crackdown on Cyber Frauds: Amit Shah

By Shivam Mishra, Media and Journal Team, Budding Forensic Club

Introduction

In a landmark move to combat the rising threat of cyber financial crimes, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the launch of the e-Zero FIR initiative. This new digital mechanism aims to streamline the complaint registration process for victims of online financial frauds. Introduced as a pilot project in Delhi, the initiative is designed to overcome jurisdictional delays and ensure swift legal action against cybercriminals.

Key Features of the e-Zero FIR System

• Auto-Registration of FIRs: Complaints received through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) or the cybercrime helpline number 1930 will be automatically registered as Zero FIRs.
• No Jurisdictional Barriers: Victims can report from anywhere in India, regardless of the crime's location.
• High-Value Focus: Initially applicable for complaints involving financial loss of ₹10 lakh or more.
• Integrated Platform: Combines NCRP, the Delhi Police’s e-FIR system, and CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems).
• Follow-Up Window: Victims have three days to convert the Zero FIR into a regular FIR at their local police station.

Background and Development

The e-Zero FIR system was developed by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). This reform stems from findings of a recent review meeting chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah, which revealed that delays in FIR registration often hamper fund recovery in cyber fraud cases. The MHA tasked I4C with creating a nationwide framework for rapid digital FIR registration.

Why Was It Needed?

India has witnessed a surge in cyber frauds, including phishing scams, fake investment schemes, and remote access fraud. Victims often face confusion about where and how to file complaints, especially when fraud spans across states. The traditional system, constrained by territorial jurisdiction, delayed investigations and fund recovery. The e-Zero FIR system addresses these challenges by removing jurisdictional barriers and allowing immediate case registration anywhere in the country.

How the System Works

• The victim files a complaint via NCRP or dials 1930.
• If the fraud involves ₹10 lakh or more, an automatic Zero FIR is registered at the Delhi e-Crime Police Station.
• The FIR is digitally routed to the appropriate jurisdictional cyber police station.
• The victim has three days to approach their local police station and convert it into a regular FIR.
• The case proceeds to investigation, with the goal of early detection and fund recovery.

This system is legally supported under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), particularly Section 173(1) and 1(ii), ensuring its national validity.

Statements from the Home Minister

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a post on X, highlighted the transformative potential of the initiative: “The system will drive investigations, swiftly cracking down on cybercriminals.” He emphasized that this is part of the Modi government’s larger vision of creating a “cyber-secure Bharat.”

Shah further assured that while the pilot focuses on high-value frauds, the scope will expand to include all cyber financial crimes, making the system inclusive and citizen-friendly.

Future Roadmap

Currently limited to Delhi and frauds over ₹10 lakh, the e-Zero FIR system is expected to expand nationwide after a successful pilot run. The Ministry of Home Affairs is monitoring the rollout and performance closely, planning to refine and scale the model. There are also future possibilities of integrating the system with banks, payment gateways, and fraud monitoring tools to aid real-time response and faster fund freezing.

Impact & Significance

This initiative has the potential to:

• Significantly reduce delays in complaint registration.
• Remove the complexity of jurisdiction, making reporting victim-friendly.
• Improve the efficiency of law enforcement agencies.
• Encourage more victims to come forward due to simplified procedures.
• Strengthen public trust in India’s digital financial ecosystem.

As cyber financial crimes continue to evolve, India's response must evolve too. The e-Zero FIR system marks a critical shift from reactive to proactive governance in cybercrime management.

Conclusion

The e-Zero FIR is not just a technological upgrade; it is a systemic reform aimed at strengthening India's digital resilience. By prioritizing speed, accessibility, and legal clarity, the initiative offers a new standard in cybercrime complaint handling. If successfully scaled across the nation, it can drastically improve the cyber law enforcement framework, enhance public digital safety, and help build a truly cyber-secure India.

e-Zero FIR Cybercrime Amit Shah Cyber Security India

References

• Express News Service. (2025, May 20). New e-Zero FIR for swift probe, crackdown on cyberfrauds: Amit Shah. The Indian Express.
• Jain, B. (2025, May 20). E-zero FIRs set to speed up cyberscam probes: Home minister Amit Shah. The Times of India.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement on X (formerly Twitter).
• Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India.
• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).
• Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Section 173.