I sent money to a scammer: act in the first hour

Do these first

1. Call the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 now. Say the amount, the time, the UPI ID or account you paid and how it happened.
2. Call your own bank on the number printed on your card or in its official app. Ask them to flag the transaction and block the card, UPI or net banking if you shared details.
3. Report the same details at cybercrime.gov.in and keep the complaint number.
4. Take screenshots of the chat, the payment screen, the payee name and any phone number or link, before the scammer deletes anything.

Then do these

1. Change your banking and UPI passwords and PIN, and check that no app on your phone is a screen-sharing or remote-control tool.
2. Write a short timeline: when they contacted you, what they said, what you sent, from which account.
3. Visit your bank branch with the screenshots and complaint number if the bank asks for it.
4. Stay alert for a second scam: people who were cheated are often called by a "recovery agent" who asks for a fee. That is the same gang or another one.

What not to do

• Do not pay a "recovery fee" to anyone who promises to get your money back.
• Do not delete the chat or the payment record.
• Do not feel ashamed: these scams are built to fool careful people.

Where to report

1930 for the helpline, cybercrime.gov.in for the complaint, and your bank for the freeze request. Safeavio cannot recover money; it can help you spot the next attempt.

How Safeavio Sentinel can help

• Money Shield: a "verify before you pay" checklist, trusted contacts and a family code word for the next time someone asks for money.
• QR check: see where a QR code goes before you pay.
• Scam check: paste a message and read the reasons it looks risky.

Questions people ask

This page is general information, not legal or financial advice. Use only the number printed on your card, passbook or the official app of your bank or company.

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