The Goa Police, aiming to strengthen its fight against online financial frauds, has rolled out a dedicated e-Zero FIR module that enables faster registration and action on cyber fraud complaints, especially for high-value cyber financial crimes. The initiative was launched alongside a new Intelligence Fusion Centre designed to support data-driven investigations and quicker arrests in online scam cases.
The new system, announced by the state government and senior police officials, reflects a broader effort to respond more efficiently to the rising incidents of cybercrime in Goa and across India — where digital fraudsters increasingly use sophisticated tactics to target victims for online investment scams, impersonations and phishing frauds.
What Is e-Zero FIR and How It Works
The e-Zero FIR is an electronic First Information Report mechanism specifically tailored for cyber financial fraud complaints. Under this system, when a victim reports a fraud via the 1930 national cybercrime helpline or the online National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, the case is automatically escalated to a full e-FIR without delay if certain thresholds are met.
Key elements of the e-Zero FIR process include:
- Automatic conversion to e-FIR for cyber financial fraud cases submitted through registered channels.
- Immediate registration when the complaint exceeds specified financial thresholds, ensuring law enforcement action begins without administrative delays.
- High-value complaints (for frauds above ₹5 lakh) are escalated to the state cyber police station for investigation, while lower-value cases are supported technically by cyber specialists within local police stations.
By fast-tracking the initial formal registration of the crime, authorities expect to reduce the window in which fraudsters can further hide or launder stolen funds.
Certified Cyber Crime Investigator Course Launched by Centre for Police Technology
Why Goa Is Prioritising Cybercrime Action
Goa — like many Indian states — is seeing a growing number of online fraud complaints involving complex digital schemes. These include fake investment scams, digital arrest frauds, and other cyber schemes in which victims are coerced into transferring money to fraudulent accounts. In just recent years, Goa’s Cyber Crime Police Station has handled cases where individuals were defrauded of ₹67 lakh in investment scams, as well as ongoing investigations into other complex patterns of online deception.
Senior police officers have emphasised that quick registration of FIRs and rapid investigative action are critical for tracing digital footprints, freezing suspect accounts, and preventing further financial losses. The e-Zero FIR mechanism is expected to play a significant role in this by reducing bureaucratic steps and ensuring early evidence preservation — a key factor in cyber investigations.
Intelligence Fusion Centre: Supporting Faster Investigations
Alongside the e-Zero FIR rollout, the Goa Police have activated an Intelligence Fusion Centre at the state level. This centre is tasked with analysing data on organised crime, cyber offenders operating across state borders, and patterns of online fraud tactics. By combining data from different police stations and technical sources, the centre helps investigators identify suspects more quickly and connect cases that might otherwise appear isolated.
The centre will also assist in proactive monitoring and risk identification, giving police a data-driven advantage when tracking sophisticated cybercriminal networks targeting citizens, businesses and visitors in Goa.
Impact on Victims and Future Reporting
Authorities have highlighted that the e-Zero FIR system will provide immediate relief to victims of cyber financial fraud by ensuring cases are officially registered as FIRs without lengthy procedural delays. This is particularly important because timely FIR registration enables:
- Faster tracing and freezing of fraudulently transferred funds through banking channels.
- Early collection of digital evidence, such as call records, messages and transaction logs.
- Quicker coordination with other states and law enforcement agencies for cross-border investigations.
Victims of cyber fraud can report incidents directly through the 1930 helpline or via the cybercrime.gov.in portal, where the e-Zero FIR protocol ensures the complaint is processed swiftly based on the reported financial and technical data.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
