A simple guide to help you report scams across South Asia using official government hotlines and trusted online portals.
South Asia continues to see rapid digital growth and with that comes an increase in scam calls, fake online shops, phishing emails and fraudulent social media accounts.
South Asia consists of the following countries:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Bhutan
- India
- Maldives
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
Whether you live in this country, knowing where to report a scam can protect you and prevent others from falling victim.
This guide lists verified scam-reporting authorities for each country in South Asia, along with their websites, hotline numbers and submission portals.
1. The Alarming Rise of Financial Losses from Scams in South Asia
Here are several credible reports and references on scam and fraud losses in South Asia for 2023, 2024 and 2025:
| Year | Country | Loss Figure & Key Details | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | India | ₹7,000 crore (Approx. $840 Million USD) This is the cumulative loss reported by citizens to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), a unit under the Ministry of Home Affairs from January until May 2025. This loss averages around ₹1,000 crore per month. Scam Types: Stock Trading/Investment Scams, Digital Arrest/Task-Based Scams | I4C Data as reported by Mint |
| 2024 | India | ₹22,845.73 crore (Approximately $2.74 Billion USD) Total loss reported from cyber-enabled financial crime, a 206% increase from 2023. Scam Types: Phishing, Social-Media Scams and Identity Theft | Ministry of Home Affairs data presented to Parliament. As reported by The Economic Times |
| 2024 | India | Over ₹8 lakh or $9,200 USD Based on the survey, the percentage of high-value losses from scams doubled in 2024 (from 2% to 4% of total losses). Specific Scam Types: Advance Payment Scams (where victims paid for undelivered goods, services, or investments). | FICO ‘2024 Scams Impact Survey: India’. As reported by Business Standard |
| 2023 | Sri Lanka | Over LKR 15 Billion (Approx. $46.6 Million USD) Loss incurred by over 8,000 Sri Lankans in a massive Fake Cryptocurrency/Pyramid Scheme known as “Sports Chain” (Sport Chain App). The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) identified it as a prohibited scheme. | Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) court filings and CBSL reports. As reported by Al Jazeera |
Infographic source: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Data for 2023 and 2024 & CloudSEK 2025 Projected Cybercrime Losses.
2. What Types of Scams Can You Report?
The reporting channels below cover these common scam categories:
- Scam websites & fake online stores
- Scam calls pretending to be banks, police or government agencies
- Scam phone numbers
- Scam emails (phishing)
- Scam text messages (SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.)
- Fake investment platforms
- Online shopping fraud
- Social media impersonation accounts
3. General Steps to Report a Scam
- Cut off all contact with the scammer at once.
- Gather all relevant evidence, including screenshots, links, phone numbers and email addresses.
- File a report through the official national reporting portal (refer to the tables below).
- Notify your bank immediately if any financial details were disclosed.
- Block the scammer’s phone number, email address and any associated websites.
- Alert family members or colleagues, particularly seniors and new internet users, so they can avoid similar scams.
4. Scam Reporting Authorities by Country (South Asia)
Below is the authoritative directory of government-verified scam report channels and hotlines.
AFGHANISTAN
To report a scam in Afghanistan, please use the following guidelines:
| Organization | How to Report | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|
| 119 Information Center of the Minister of Interior Affairs | Hotline: 119 General Police Emergency | Investigation and prosecution of criminal offenses, including fraud, theft, and financial crimes. |
| UNHCR Afghanistan (For Aid/Refugee-related Fraud) | Toll-Free Helplines: 0791990225, 0790691746 or 0704996168 Website: https://help.unhcr.org/afghanistan/contact/reporting-fraud-and-misconduct/ | For reporting fraud, corruption, or misconduct involving UNHCR staff, partners, or services, including issues related to resettlement or aid. All services are free. |
| Western Union Fraud Hotline | International Hotline: +49 69 12 014 4065 (For Afghanistan) Website: https://www.westernunion.com/global-service/report-fraud?WULanguage=en&WUCountry=af | Specifically for reporting fraud where the scammer requested payment via a Western Union transfer. |
BANGLADESH
To report a scam in Bangladesh, please use the following guidelines:
| Organization | How to Report | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|
| Police Cyber Support For Women (PCSW) | Hotline: 01320000888 Email: cybersupport.women@police.gov.bdFacebook: www.facebook.com/PCSW.PHQ | Provides dedicated legal and tech assistance to female victims of online harassment, bullying and cyber-enabled financial scams. |
| Cyber Crime Investigation Division (CTTC/DMP) | Hotline (Dhaka): 01769691522 Email: Cyberhelp@dmp.gov.bd | Specialized unit dedicated to investigating all forms of cybercrime, including financial fraud, hacking, and digital-related offenses. |
| Criminal Investigation Department (CID) – Cyber Police Center | Hotline: 01320010148 | Specializing in financial crimes, money laundering, cybercrime, and cases requiring advanced forensic expertise. |
| Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) | Online Complaint: Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the “Lodge Complaint” menu. Website: www.bfiu.org.bd | Responsible for preventing money laundering and terrorist financing. It handles public reports of suspicious financial activity and shares intelligence with law enforcement for investigation. |
BHUTAN
To report a scam in Bhutan, please use the following guidelines:
| Organization | How to Report | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) | Emergency Hotline: 113 (For theft, robbery, or assault) General Police Hotline: 113 (For non-emergency/local police station) Website: https://rbp.gov.bt/reporting-and-witnessing-crimes/ | Law enforcement and investigation of criminal cases, including financial crimes, economic offenses, hacking, and cybercrime, are conducted through the Criminal Investigation Division (CID). A formal police report must be filed to initiate an investigation. |
| Financial Intelligence Department (FID) / FIU Bhutan | General Phone: +975-2-323111 (Royal Monetary Authority main number) Email: fiu@rma.org.bt Website: https://www.rma.org.bt/fid/contactUs/ | Responsible for combating money laundering and financing of terrorism (ML/TF). They receive Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and disseminate financial intelligence to law enforcement. |
| Royal Audit Authority (RAA) | Online Alert Form: Use the Fraud Alert form on their website. Website: https://www.bhutanaudit.gov.bt/fraud-alert/ | Investigates allegations of fraud, corruption, and misconduct within government agencies or organizations subject to government audit. More focused on public sector fraud. |
INDIA
To report a scam in India, please use the following channel:
| Organization | How to Report | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|
| National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) / I4C | Hotline: 1930 Website: https://cybercrime.gov.in/ | The central platform for reporting all cybercrime incidents, including online financial fraud, hacking, data theft, and child-related offenses. It facilitates the immediate blocking of fraudulent transfers by coordinating with banks via the 1930 helpline. |
| RBI Sachet Portal | Website: https://sachet.rbi.org.in/ | Unauthorised Schemes/Deposits: A public platform launched by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to check if an entity is registered with a regulator (RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, etc.) and to lodge complaints against entities accepting deposits or offering schemes without authorization. |
| Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) | SMS/Call: 1909 (To register preference/complain against Unsolicited Commercial Communication – UCC/Spam) | Spam/UCC Complaints: For reporting unsolicited commercial calls or messages (spam) from telemarketers. Complaints made within 3 days are considered valid for investigation. |
MALDIVES
To report a scam in Maldives, please use the following channel:
| Organization | How to Report | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|
| Maldives Police Service (MPS) – General | Emergency Hotline: 119 General Inquiries: 332 2111 Website: www.police.gov.mv | Primary national law enforcement agency. Responsible for investigating all criminal offenses, including fraud, identity theft, and high-level financial scams. |
| Maldives Police Service (MPS) – Financial Crime Department | In-Person Reporting: File a complaint at the nearest police station or the Financial Crime Department office in Malé. | Specialized Investigation: Handles complex fraud cases, forgery, money laundering, and serious financial crimes within the Maldives. |
| Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) – Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) | Email: info@fiumv.gov.mv Website: www.fiumv.gov.mv | Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing: Receives suspicious transaction reports (STRs) from financial institutions and investigates potential money laundering activities. Public reports are typically channeled through the Police or Banks first. |
| Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) – Central Bank | General Inquiries: +960 330 6000 Website: www.mma.gov.mv | Regulatory Oversight: Supervises banks and financial institutions. Handles complaints related to regulated entities and financial services, including unauthorized lending or unregistered investment schemes. |
NEPAL
| Organization | How to Report | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal Police Cyber Bureau | Duty Officer Mobile: +977 9851286770 Office Phone: +977 1-5319044 Email: cyberbureau@nepalpolice.gov.np Website (Complaint Form/Info): https://cyberbureau.nepalpolice.gov.np/ | Central agency responsible for investigating all cyber-related offenses, including online financial fraud, hacking, unauthorized access, fake IDs, and social media abuse. They are the main point of contact for digital scams. |
| Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) – Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) | Office Phone: +977 1-5719653 Email: fiu@nrb.org.np Grievance Management System: https://gunaso.nrb.org.np/complain | The central agency for combating Money Laundering (ML) and Terrorism Financing (TF). While they don’t take direct public criminal reports, citizens can report suspicious financial activities (e.g., concerning banks or remittance companies) via their Grievance Management System. |
| Local Police Station / District Police Office | General Police Hotline: 100 In-Person Reporting: Visit the nearest District Police Office (or the Cyber Bureau office in Kathmandu). | Handles initial registration of criminal complaints, including financial fraud and theft. For cyber-related cases, they often forward the investigation to the Cyber Bureau. |
PAKISTAN
| Organization | How to Report | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|
| National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) (Previously FIA Cyber Crime Wing) | Helpline: 1799 (24/7) or 1991 Online Complaint: https://complaint.nccia.gov.pk/ | The primary law enforcement agency for investigating and prosecuting cyber-enabled crimes, including online financial fraud, identity theft, hacking, and harassment, under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA 2016). |
| Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) | Toll-Free Helpline: 0800-55055 Online Complaint: https://complaint.pta.gov.pk/ | Fraudulent Calls/SMS: Manages complaints regarding unsolicited, hoax, or fraudulent calls/SMS (e.g., prize scams, calls impersonating organizations) that use telecom services. They can block numbers involved in these activities. |
| State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) / Banking Mohtasib | SBP UAN: 0092-21-111-727-273 Banking Mohtasib Complaint: https://www.bankingmohtasib.gov.pk/Website/compliantForm.aspx | Bank Compliance/Disputes: SBP handles general banking complaints and ensures banks comply with fraud protection guidelines. The Banking Mohtasib (Ombudsman) handles complaints against scheduled banks if the victim is unsatisfied with the bank’s resolution after 45 days. |
SRI LANKA
| Organization | How to Report | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Crime Investigation Division (CCID) / CID | Phone: +94 11 238 1045 Email: dir.ccid@police.gov.lk Website: Report can be filed via the Sri Lanka Police portal (see General Police below) or in person. | Criminal Investigation: Specialized unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) that investigates technology-facilitated crimes, including major financial fraud, data theft, and complex cyber-scams. |
| Sri Lanka Police (General) | Emergency: 119 or 118 Online Complaint (Tell IGP): telligp.police.lk Website: https://www.police.lk/ | Law Enforcement: For general crime reporting. All financial crimes and scams should ideally be reported to your nearest police station for formal investigation and to file a formal Police Complaint (necessary for bank/insurance claims). |
| Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Sri Lanka | Email (Director): dfiu@cbsl.lk Website: https://fiusrilanka.gov.lk/contact.html | Money Laundering: The central agency under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka responsible for receiving and analyzing Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) related to money laundering and terrorist financing, including those generated by large-scale scams. |
5. Essential Tips for Digital Safety in Southeast Asia
To protect yourself from rapidly evolving scams, adopt these preventative measures:
1. Verify Before You Buy: Always scrutinize online sellers and platforms before making a purchase. Use official scam-checking websites or reputable review platforms to verify legitimacy.
2. Avoid Unsolicited Links: Never click on links, attachments, or QR codes sent via unexpected or unknown WhatsApp, Telegram, or SMS messages, as these are primary vectors for phishing and malware.
3. Use Official Banking Channels: Access your accounts only through your bank’s verified, official mobile application or secured website, never via SMS links or unsolicited emails.
4. Fortify Your Accounts: Immediately enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA or 2FA) on all email, social media, banking, and financial accounts to prevent unauthorized access.
5. Protect Confidential Information: Under no circumstances should you ever share one-time passwords (OTPs), banking Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), or full e-wallet access details with anyone, regardless of who they claim to be.
6. Pre-Verify Contacts: Before trusting any new phone number or website, search the name or number along with the word “scam” in a search engine to check for reported fraud activity.
Final Thoughts: Your Role in the Fight Against Fraud
The landscape of scams continues to evolve, yet reporting a scam remains our most powerful defense. Whether you encounter a fraudulent website, a scam phone number, a fake email or a sophisticated deepfake call, utilize the official government and police portals listed above to file your report.
Every single report is a critical piece of intelligence that helps law enforcement disrupt transnational scam networks and protects future victims across the region.
Be Vigilant. Be Safe. Don’t Hesitate to Report.
Want to report a scam at your place? Use below guidelines:
One thought on “How to Report a Scam in South Asia (Websites, Calls, Emails & More) 2025 Guide”