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Cyber Harassment / Blackmail

You are being harassed, threatened, stalked, or blackmailed online through social media, messages, or other digital platforms.

Do this now
  1. 01Block the harasser on all platforms
  2. 02Take screenshots of all harassment — do NOT delete anything
  3. 03Report the account/content on the social media platform
  4. 04File complaint on cybercrime.gov.in
  5. 05Call Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930
  6. 06If threats to life — call police immediately: 112
  7. 07Do NOT engage with the harasser or pay any blackmail demand
  8. 08Inform a trusted person
Evidence to collect
  1. Screenshots of harassment messages/posts
  2. Profile details of harasser (username, profile URL)
  3. Timestamps of harassment
  4. Witness accounts
  5. Platform's response to your reports
  6. Any phone numbers or email IDs used
  7. Recording of threatening calls
Documents you need
  1. Written complaint with evidence
  2. Screenshots with timestamps
  3. Personal ID proof
  4. Cyber crime portal complaint number
  5. Platform report reference numbers
  6. FIR copy
Where to complain
  1. Cyber Crime Portal — cybercrime.gov.in
  2. Cyber Crime Helpline — 1930
  3. Police Station — FIR
  4. Social media platform — Report feature
  5. National Commission for Women — If gender-based (ncw.nic.in)
  6. POCSO helpline (1098) — If victim is a child
Laws that apply
  1. IT Act Section 67 — Publishing obscene material
  2. IT Act Section 66E — Privacy violation
  3. BNS Section 351 — Criminal intimidation
  4. BNS Section 356 — Defamation
  5. BNS Section 77-78 — Voyeurism and stalking
  6. POCSO Act — If victim is a minor
Understanding the issue

Cyber harassment includes online stalking, sending threatening messages, sharing intimate images without consent (revenge porn), blackmail using private photos or information, and persistent trolling. All these are criminal offences under the IT Act and BNS. Victims should immediately preserve evidence and report to cyber crime authorities.

When to see a lawyer

Consult a lawyer if you are being blackmailed, if intimate images have been shared, or if you want to file both criminal and civil cases for damages.