Punjab Police have operationalised the e-zero First Information Report (FIR) mechanism for cyber financial fraud cases involving transactions above ₹5 lakh, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday, 29 July. The system was formally activated with a directive issued by Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, marking a significant shift in how the state handles time-sensitive cybercrime complaints.

How the e-zero FIR System Works

Under the new mechanism, eligible cyber financial fraud complaints filed through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) or the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 are automatically converted into e-zero FIRs. These are then electronically transmitted via the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) to the relevant Cyber Crime Police Station in the concerned district or Commissionerate of Police for immediate investigation.

Cases involving cyber financial fraud of ₹1 crore or more will be routed directly to the State Cyber Crime Police Station in Mohali for registration and investigation, DGP Yadav confirmed.

What the Mechanism Is Designed to Prevent

The e-zero FIR system has been specifically engineered to eliminate procedural delays that have historically hampered early intervention in cybercrime cases. According to the official statement, the mechanism enables immediate action to freeze bank accounts, digital wallets, and other payment instruments used in fraud; preserve electronic evidence; coordinate with financial intermediaries; and initiate prompt investigation to maximise the recovery of defrauded funds.

'The first few hours after a cyber financial fraud are the most critical for tracing and freezing funds. By enabling automatic registration, the e-zero FIR system empowers investigating officers to take urgent legal and technical measures without procedural delays,' DGP Yadav said.

What Victims Can Expect

Once an e-zero FIR is registered, victims will be immediately notified with details of the concerned Cyber Crime Police Station, the name of the investigating officer, and the procedure for completing statutory formalities under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023. This victim-communication layer addresses a longstanding gap where complainants were often left uninformed about the status of their case.

Oversight and State-Level Monitoring

The State Cyber Crime Division will oversee the implementation of the e-zero FIR mechanism across Punjab, monitoring timely registration, transfer, investigation, and supervision of cyber financial fraud cases statewide. This comes amid a broader national push to strengthen cybercrime response infrastructure, with multiple states introducing digital-first FIR systems in recent years. Punjab's move, however, is notable for its automatic conversion feature and direct CCTNS integration, which reduces human intervention at the intake stage.