Money Put on Hold After Filing a Cybercrime Fraud Complaint

Question

► I ordered shoes from an Instagram store that turned out to be a scam. I paid ₹1480 and after waiting for 2 months with no delivery and constant back-and-forth, I finally filed a cyber crime complaint on 12th March. The same day I informed the seller, and she immediately initiated a refund that night. However, my SBI bank account got a hold of ₹1480 due to the complaint. Later, the scammer also received a notice from the police (since their account was flagged), and she filed a counter complaint against the refund she sent me. After that, on 14th April, another ₹1480 was put on hold in my account. So now, a total of ₹2960 is on hold. I visited SBI, but they said they can’t help and asked me to contact the cyber crime police station. I’m really confused because I’m the victim and I have all the proof. I’ve also seen a lot of negative experiences here about police/banks not helping, which is making me more worried. What should I do next?

Answer 1

Dear Client,

As per the facts given, you seem to be the complainant and not the person at fault here; thus, the freezing/lien of the amount must be only for the sake of caution taken because of the cyber crime investigation and then filing the case of complaint against the seller. You need to immediately get in touch with the cyber crime police station which registered your case and submit your documents, i.e., your evidence of making the payment of ₹1,480, screenshots of your emails exchanged with the seller, proof of non-receipt of goods, details of your cyber crime complaint, etc., and ask them to explain about the freezing of money in your account in the two lots, each amounting to ₹2,960, and try to have the unnecessary freeze lifted on that portion. Since the bank is expected to comply with any orders that come from the law enforcement agencies, SBI will not be in a position to lift the freeze without any direction from the investigating agency.

I hope this helps and if you have any further issues do not hesitate to contact us.

Money Put on Hold After Filing a Cybercrime Fraud Complaint

1 Answer