Reporting cybercrime

Scams, fraud, cyberstalking — thousands of cybercrime cases are reported every day. If you believe you have become a victim, contact the authorities immediately.

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Where to report cybercrime

Cybercrimes, like all crimes, should be reported to the police or the institution responsible for cybercrime in your country by phone, email, or an online form. Use the links below for online access to cybercrime units in major population centers around the world.

Americas

North America

Canada
Dominican Republic
Guatemala
Nicaragua
Mexico
United States

South America

Argentina
Chile
Colombia
Peru

Europe

France
Germany
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Norway
Poland
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom

Asia and Oceania

Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
New Zealand
Pakistan
South Korea
Turkey

Africa

Egypt
Nigeria
Morocco
South Africa
Zimbabwe

Some countries’ law enforcement pages may not be accessible from your region.

Other ways to report cybercrime

Anonymous reports

Cybercrimes can be embarrassing or dangerous to reveal in public. Check the website of your country’s police force to see if you can submit an anonymous report online or by phone.

National agencies

Search online if your country has a dedicated agency to deal with cybercrimes. For example, you can report cybercrime to the Internet Complaint Center in the US or Action Fraud in the UK.

International organizations

Organizations like INTERPOL and Europol do not investigate cybercrimes. However, they can provide useful information and direct you to the agency responsible for cybercrime in your area.

What is considered a cybercrime?

Cybercrime is any crime involving the use of information technologies (IT). This broad category covers both digital-only crimes (like hacking servers to steal data) and traditional crimes with an IT element (like stalking someone over social media).

Not all online threats are cybercrimes, however, a cybercrime is, first and foremost, a crime under the law, so general online nuisances (like flashy ads or accidental data destruction) do not fall under this category. Because criminal laws vary from country to country, the same activity could be considered a cybercrime in one region while being legal in another.

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Frequently asked questions

Who investigates cybercrime?

Law enforcement authorities usually have dedicated units to investigate cybercrime cases. To keep pace with the rapid advance of technology, these divisions often employ reformed hackers and cybersecurity experts. In cases where the criminals are operating across borders, national police forces may be required to cooperate with their peers from other countries or international organizations.

What do I need when reporting cybercrime?

To report a crime, including cybercrime, you will need to provide the details of the incident and your contact information. In many cases you will also be asked for proof of your identity and any corroborating evidence you may have.

Keep in mind that different countries have different ways to report crime — in some areas, you may be unable to file a report online and will have to contact the police by phone. If the local police forces do not speak your language, you can request an interpreter for your report.

What do I do if someone is in danger in another country?

If you believe someone is at risk of cybercrime in another country, you should inform that country’s police forces of the situation without delay. You should also contact the victim’s diplomatic representatives (such as an embassy) in the country and notify them that a citizen is in danger — in many cases, they will also work with local law enforcement agencies to protect the victim.

Can you report a hacker to the police?

You can report any criminal to local police forces, including hackers that have committed a cybercrime. This does not include white hat hackers, penetration testers, and other cybersecurity specialists that have hacked a system in pursuit of a lawful aim. When making your report, make sure you provide the full details of the incident and submit any corroborating evidence you have.