Chakshu vs 1909 vs 1930: Which One to Use for Spam Calls, Fraud Messages and Online Scams
Quick answer: Use 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in if you have already lost money. Use Chakshu on Sanchar Saathi to report suspected fraud calls, SMS or WhatsApp messages. Use 1909 or the TRAI DND app for unwanted promotional calls and SMS.
Fake KYC messages, “your parcel is held” calls, investment scams on WhatsApp — almost everyone in India gets these. Reporting them helps authorities block numbers, but many people do not know which channel to use. Here is a side-by-side comparison.
Comparison at a glance
| Channel | Use it for | How to report |
|---|---|---|
| 1930 / cybercrime.gov.in | You have lost money or been cheated online | Call 1930 immediately or file at cybercrime.gov.in |
| Chakshu (Sanchar Saathi) | Suspected fraud calls, SMS or WhatsApp messages | Sanchar Saathi portal or app |
| 1909 / TRAI DND app | Unwanted promotional (spam) calls and SMS | SMS or call 1909, DND app, or your telecom operator |
| 1963 / 1800110420 | International calls that show an Indian (+91) number | Call these numbers or report on Sanchar Saathi |
1930: when money is already gone
If you have been cheated — money debited through UPI, card or net banking because of a scam — call the national cyber crime helpline 1930 as fast as possible, or file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in. Speed matters because reporting quickly improves the chance of freezing the money before it moves further. Also inform your bank right away.
Important: Chakshu does not handle financial fraud or cybercrime complaints. For those, 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in are the right channels.
Chakshu: suspicious calls and messages, before any loss
Chakshu is a service on the Department of Telecommunications’ Sanchar Saathi portal for reporting suspected fraud communication — for example a caller pretending to be from a bank, a fake electricity disconnection SMS, or a WhatsApp message offering a “work from home” deal.
- Go to sancharsaathi.gov.in or open the Sanchar Saathi app.
- Choose Chakshu – Report Suspected Fraud Communication.
- Select the medium (call, SMS or WhatsApp) and the category, such as KYC update, impersonation or fake investment.
- Add the number, date, time and message details. A screenshot is optional.
- Verify your mobile number with an OTP and submit.
1909 and the TRAI DND app: promotional spam
Unwanted marketing calls and SMS are called UCC (unsolicited commercial communication). You can report them by SMS or call to 1909, through the TRAI DND app, or through your telecom operator. A complaint made within 7 days of receiving the call or SMS is treated as a valid complaint; later reports are recorded as reports.
International calls showing an Indian number
Scammers sometimes spoof international calls so they appear as Indian +91 numbers. Report these by calling 1963 or 1800110420, or through the Report International Calls option on Sanchar Saathi.
Which one should you use? A simple rule
- Lost money? → 1930 first, then your bank.
- Suspicious fraud call or message, no loss yet? → Chakshu.
- Annoying promotional calls or SMS? → 1909 or the DND app.
- International call disguised as an Indian number? → 1963.
Frequently asked questions
Is reporting on Chakshu anonymous?
You verify your own mobile number with an OTP and give your name, so it is not anonymous, but the details are used to act against the fraudulent number.
Can I report a WhatsApp scam message?
Yes. Chakshu accepts reports for calls, SMS and WhatsApp.
Does blocking a number on my phone report it?
No. Blocking only stops it from reaching you. Reporting through these channels helps authorities act against the number.
