If you realise you have been scammed online, the most important thing is to act quickly and systematically. First, stop interacting with the scammer and do not send any more money or information. Immediately change passwords and PINs for affected accounts, especially email, banking apps and social media. If bank or UPI details are involved, contact your bank or payment service provider and request that they block cards or accounts where necessary and attempt to halt or reverse transactions if still possible.

Next, collect and preserve evidence: screenshots of chats, emails, transaction IDs, phone numbers, websites or profiles used in the scam. File a complaint with the relevant authorities or dedicated cybercrime channels, providing as much detail as you can. Many platforms and marketplaces also have internal reporting mechanisms that may help in suspending fraudulent accounts or listing. After the crisis stage, review how the scam happened: Did you click a suspicious link? Did someone call pretending to be customer support? Did you share an OTP? Understanding the pattern will help you avoid similar traps in future and allow you to educate family members, especially those who are less familiar with digital risks.