When it comes to cybercrime, the most critical time is not in days, but literally in minutes. The first one to two hours after someone falls prey to a digital fraud is known as the ‘Golden Hour’, which often decides whether a victim will recover their money or lose it forever. This week’s edition of The Safe Side, talks about why reporting a cybercrime as soon as possible is important.In September 2025, BJP Chikkaballapur MP K Sudhakar’s wife Preeti lost Rs 14 lakh to a digital arrest fraud. According to the police, Preeti, 44, received a WhatsApp call from ‘police officials from the Mumbai cybercrime department’.The fraudsters posing as officials alerted her about an illegal transfer of money from her bank account. They told her that the money would be diverted to the RBI and would be transferred back to her in around 45 minutes. The scammers also threatened her that if she did not transfer the money to the given account within the stipulated time, she would be arrested.ICYMI | ‘I was threatened with arrest for watching porn’: Inside the rise of fake cyber policingThe scammers got her to transfer Rs 14 lakh to an unknown account. Soon, Preeti realised she had been scammed. She registered a complaint over a call to the cybercrime helpline number 1930, and was able to recover her lost Rs 14 lakh.What saved her? Preeti registered the complaint as soon as possible; experts call it the ‘golden hour’.A case was immediately registered after her call, and the investigation was taken up in no time. Through this, the money transferred to the fraudster’s account was frozen, and the bank authorities (where her money was transferred) were issued orders directing them to return the frozen amount to the complainant’s account.This highlights the importance of registering a cyber complaint as soon as possible.Story continues below this adIn a similar incident, a Mumbai woman lost Rs 93,000 to cyber fraud while booking a hotel online in October this year, but her quick action after losing the money made all the difference. She and her husband immediately alerted the bank and the police within the ‘golden hour’, allowing authorities to freeze the mule account (where her money was transferred) before the money could be moved further into a different account.As a result, the entire amount was successfully recovered, highlighting how rapid reporting can give cybercrime victims a rare second chance at recovery of the amount they lost.What is ‘golden hour’?The ‘golden hour’ refers to the critical period of up to three hours after a fraudulent transaction takes place. Many experts have a different opinion on this period. Several cyber experts note that the period is now just 60 minutes.This quick action can help freeze funds and recover stolen money. To act during this time, victims should immediately call the cybercrime helpline or report the fraud online through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCPR). Reporting the incident promptly to both the helpline and the online portal can significantly increase the chances of recovering lost funds by enabling authorities to freeze accounts before the money is moved further.Story continues below this adTalking to indianexpress.com, Deepender Singh, cyber expert, Betul Police (Madhya Pradesh) said, “Earlier, before the cyber frauds were this rampant, the ‘golden hour’ was usually considered to be around two to three days because digital transactions moved at a slower pace. But today, with UPI, fast-payment systems and instant mobile applications, money moves through multiple layers within seconds. As a result, the golden hour has now shrunk drastically to just one hour. If the victim lodges a complaint immediately during this initial period, the money is still at a preliminary stage. This makes it easier for banks and the cyber cell to stop, hold or freeze the transaction. This increases the chances of recovery many times over.”Also Read | How fake helpline numbers are scamming people out of their money“In financial fraud cases, the first 60 minutes are often called the ‘golden hour’, which is critical. This short window can significantly influence whether lost money is traced and recovered. Fraudsters typically move funds within seconds, routing them through multiple accounts to make tracking difficult. Contact your bank right away and request an urgent freeze on the account or payment. Simultaneously, report the incident to the national helpline 1930 or through the cybercrime portal,” said Mehul Goyal of SVP – Risk Management, FYERS.“If the fraud involves a trading or demat account, notify your broker and the relevant stock exchanges without delay. Early alerts enable authorities to initiate real-time tracking before the funds are diverted further. In situations like these, speed becomes your strongest defence, often making the difference between recovery and permanent loss,” he added.Why do people usually not report cybercrime?Deepender Singh stated, “Due to fear and confusion, people often report the crime after several hours or even days. By then, the money has already been split across mule accounts. This makes it extremely difficult to trace the amount, leaving almost no chance of recovery.”Story continues below this adLohit Matani, DCP (Cyber Crime), Nagpur, informed, “People usually don’t accept that a fraud has happened with them; instead, even after losing money, they try to contact the fraudster and engage with him.”Matani added, “Only 10 per cent of people report cybercrime. There is a lot of hesitation, and many keep thinking, ‘Maybe this is not fraud, everything is fine,’ and by the time they realise it, precious time is lost. That is why the 1930 helpline and the online portal have been set up, so that one does not even need to go to a police station and can register a complaint from the comfort of their home.”What exactly happens when you register a complaint in golden hour?Lohit Matani said, “If the complaint is reported during the golden hour, either by calling 1930, 1945 (Maharashtra Cyber Helpline) or by approaching the nearest police station, an immediate trail of the money movement is generated. Wherever the money has been transferred, a lien is placed on those accounts at each layer.Also Read | A code, a click, a hack: Inside the WhatsApp fraud that trapped Kannada actors Upendra and Priyanka“Once the money is frozen, it can be returned to the victim’s account through a court order. However, if there is a delay in reporting, the fraudster withdraws the money. Once the amount is withdrawn, it is no longer possible to recover it using normal banking channels. While there are some methods at later stages, the process becomes very difficult.”Story continues below this adMatani, thereafter, said, “Ideally, even 60 minutes is too long; the case should be reported as soon as possible. If the amount has not yet been withdrawn, there is a strong chance it will be recovered.”Where to report in case you fall prey to cybercrime: cybercrime.gov.in or call the cybercrime helpline 1930.The Safe SideAs the world evolves, the digital landscape does too, bringing new opportunities – and new risks. Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, exploiting vulnerabilities to their advantage. In our special feature series, we delve into the latest cybercrime trends and provide practical tips to help you stay informed, secure, and vigilant online.