Hyderabad | In a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, cybercrime victims in Hyderabad can now register First Information Reports (FIRs) online through a virtual assistance system, eliminating the need to physically visit a police station. The facility, launched by the Hyderabad City Police, is expected to significantly ease the reporting of online frauds and cyber offences, which have surged sharply in recent years.
The initiative, called C-Mitra, functions as a virtual helpdesk designed to assist citizens through every step of converting a cybercrime complaint into a legally compliant FIR. Officials said the system has been built to be faster, more accessible and citizen-friendly, particularly for victims who often struggle with procedural complexities.
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How the system works
Under the new mechanism, citizens first report cyber fraud by calling the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or by lodging a complaint on the central portal cybercrime.gov.in. Once the complaint is registered, trained “virtual police officers” from the Hyderabad City Police proactively reach out to the complainant.
Using technology-assisted drafting tools, including artificial intelligence, the system helps prepare a precise legal complaint based on the victim’s account. The drafted complaint is then shared with the citizen for review. After printing and signing the document, the complainant can send it via post or courier to the Cyber Crime Police Station at Basheerbagh. A dedicated drop-box facility has also been created for submissions.
Upon receipt of the signed complaint, the police formally register the FIR and send confirmation details to the complainant via SMS.
Tackling delays and under-reporting
Senior police officials said the initiative addresses one of the biggest challenges in cyber policing: under-reporting of crimes. Many victims, particularly senior citizens and those living outside city limits, hesitate to visit police stations due to time constraints, fear of harassment or lack of clarity about legal processes.
“With C-Mitra, the victim does not have to repeatedly follow up or struggle with legal drafting. The system provides end-to-end assistance, ensuring that genuine complaints are converted into FIRs without unnecessary delays,” an official involved in the project said.
Expert backing and policy significance
Cybercrime experts have welcomed the move, calling it a major step towards modernising policing in the digital age. Analysts at the Future Crime Research Foundation said the Hyderabad model addresses a long-standing gap between complaint registration and formal legal action.
“In most cybercrime cases across India, victims manage to file complaints but fail to get FIRs registered, which weakens investigation and recovery of funds,” a senior researcher at the foundation said. “By integrating technology, human oversight and legal validation, Hyderabad has created a replicable framework for other states.”
The foundation noted that as digital payments, online trading and social media usage expand, cyber fraud has become one of the fastest-growing crime categories in the country, requiring procedural reforms alongside stricter enforcement.
A potential national blueprint
Police officials said the success of C-Mitra will be closely monitored over the coming months. Early feedback from complainants has been encouraging, particularly regarding response time and clarity of communication.
Law enforcement agencies in other states are already studying the Hyderabad model, according to officials familiar with inter-state policing discussions. If adopted nationally, similar systems could substantially reduce the burden on cybercrime police stations while improving access to justice.
Strengthening trust in digital governance
The launch of C-Mitra comes at a time when governments are pushing for deeper digital adoption across services, from banking to welfare delivery. However, rising cyber fraud has threatened public confidence in online systems.
By making FIR registration easier and more transparent, Hyderabad City Police hope to restore trust and signal that cyber offences will be treated with the same seriousness as conventional crimes.
As India’s digital economy expands, Hyderabad’s experiment with virtual FIR registration could mark a turning point—showing how technology, when paired with institutional accountability, can strengthen both policing and public trust.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
