Amit Shah launches e-Zero FIR initiative

Context

• The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) has introduced a new system that automatically converts financial cybercrime complaints with a fraud value above ₹10 lakh, and registered on the 1930 helpline or cybercrime.gov.in portal, into first information reports (FIRs).

• The e-Zero FIR initiative has been launched on a pilot basis first in Delhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday.

• The new system that will drive investigations to swiftly cracking down on cybercriminals will soon be extended to the entire nation, the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

• Mr. Shah directed the implementation of the initiative at a recent review meeting of the I4C, keeping in view the difficulties faced by victims of financial cybercrimes in recovering the money lost.

• The newly introduced process involves the integration of I4C’s National Cybercrime Reporting Portal system, the Delhi Police’s e-FIR system, and the National Crime Record Bureau’s Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS).

Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)

• About: I4C was launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2020 to deal with all types of cyber crimes including cyber fraud in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.

• Objectives of I4C:

1. To act as a nodal point to curb Cybercrime in the country.

2. To strengthen the fight against Cybercrime committed against women and children.

3. Facilitate easy filing Cybercrime related complaints and identifying Cybercrime trends and patterns.

4. To act as an early warning system for Law Enforcement Agencies for proactive Cybercrime prevention and detection.

5. Awareness creation among the public about preventing Cybercrime.

6. Assist States / UTs in capacity building of Police Officers, Public Prosecutors and Judicial Officers in the area of cyber forensic, investigation, cyber hygiene, cyber-criminology, etc

• National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal : Under I4C, the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal is a citizen-centric initiative which will enable citizens to report cyber fraud online and all the complaints will be accessed by the concerned law enforcement agencies for taking action as per law