Someone has gained unauthorised access to my email and social media accounts and has been impersonating me to defraud my contacts. What criminal offences are committed when someone hacks into another person's online accounts and what is the correct procedure to file a cybercrime complaint in India in Kolkata?
If your email or social media account has been hacked in Kolkata, whether for financial fraud, impersonation, or simply to cause you harm, you can and should file a criminal complaint, since unauthorized access to computer systems and accounts is specifically criminalised under Indian law. Section 66 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 addresses computer-related offences, including hacking, and unauthorized access to your account, along with any resulting damage such as data theft, financial loss, or misuse of your identity, can attract significant criminal liability for the perpetrator, including imprisonment and substantial fines.
If the hacker has used your compromised account to send messages, make posts, or conduct transactions in your name, this can additionally constitute identity theft under Section 66C of the IT Act and, depending on what was done through your account, potentially cheating or fraud provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita as well, particularly if the hacking led to financial loss for you or others who trusted the compromised account.
To file an effective complaint, approach the cybercrime cell of Kolkata police, or lodge a complaint through the national cybercrime reporting portal, providing all available evidence including login notification emails or alerts, any communication from the hacker if applicable, evidence of what was posted or sent from the compromised account, and details of any financial loss incurred. Acting quickly matters considerably, both because evidence can be lost or altered over time and because prompt reporting increases the chances of recovering access to your account and limiting further misuse.
Because cybercrime investigations often require technical coordination with service providers and platforms to trace the source of unauthorized access, having your complaint properly documented and filed through the right channels significantly improves the investigation's effectiveness. Aapka Legal Advice can help you file a complaint that gives cyber police the information they need to act swiftly.
If your email or social media account has been hacked in Kolkata, don't delay in filing your complaint. Speak with experienced criminal lawyers in Kolkata about pursuing action against the person responsible.