‘Roll out e-Zero FIRs in all states to speed up cyber fraud probes’: PM Modi

NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday advised states to start registering e-Zero FIRs in cyber crime cases so that victims who have lost their money are spared the harassment of running from pillar to post. Noting that only nine states have this system in place, Modi directed PMO officials to take this up with chief secretary and DGP of each state for faster roll out of e-Zero FIRs across the country.Reviewing grievances related to cyber crime and digital arrest at PRAGATI meeting where chief secretaries from all states were present, PM said he will review the progress of e-Zero FIRs. These FIRs help investigators immediately start the probe against criminals whose trail can soon vanish.The e-Zero FIR is an initiative by Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) that automatically converts verified, high-value cyber financial fraud complaints into Zero FIRs. It allows victims to bypass jurisdictional barriers and fast-track investigations and blocking of fraudulent transactions.In an official release, PMO said Modi expressed concern over rising misuse of digital platforms to defraud citizens and stressed that such matters “require coordinated, sensitive and time-bound handling by all agencies concerned”. He also called for clear ownership, faster response, better coordination among law enforcement agencies, banks and digital platforms.