FIR for Stolen Phone in India:
Complete Guide (Online + Offline)
An FIR is the first step to blocking your IMEI, claiming insurance, and getting any official help. Most people skip it because they don't know how. Here's the exact process — online and offline.
Last updated: June 2026 · 7 min read
Why bother filing an FIR?
You need an FIR number to block your IMEI via CEIR, claim phone insurance, and get your bank to take cybercrime fraud seriously. Police are unlikely to recover the phone, but the FIR protects you legally and financially.
What You Need Before Filing
IMEI number
Dial *#06# — but you need to have done this before the theft. Alternatively, find it on the original box, invoice, or Google account at myaccount.google.com → Security → Your devices.
Purchase invoice or receipt
Shows proof of ownership. Screenshot from Flipkart/Amazon order history works. Even a photo of the box with serial number helps.
Date, time, and location of theft
Be specific. Police will not register a vague complaint. Even "approximately 3 PM at Phoenix Mall Navi Mumbai on 14 June" is better than nothing.
Your Aadhaar or Voter ID
Required for your identity at the police station.
Phone number (the stolen SIM)
Your registered mobile number linked to the device.
Option 1: File Online (Fastest)
You can file a complaint online and receive a complaint number without going to a police station. This works for insurance claims and IMEI blocking. An actual FIR requires an in-person visit, but the online complaint is a valid first step.
NCRP — cybercrime.gov.in
National Cybercrime Reporting Portal. Best if your theft involved financial fraud (UPI, banking).
- Go to cybercrime.gov.in
- Click "Report Other Cyber Crimes" → "File a Complaint"
- Register with your mobile number
- Select "Other" if your theft didn't involve cyber fraud, or "Financial Fraud" if money was also stolen
- Fill in device details, IMEI, and theft circumstances
- Submit and note your complaint number — you'll receive it by SMS
State Police Online Portal
Most states have an online FIR or e-complaint system. These generate an actual FIR number accepted by insurers and CEIR.
- Search "[your state] police online FIR" — e.g. "Maharashtra police online FIR" or "Delhi police online FIR"
- Common portals: Delhi (delhipolice.gov.in), Maharashtra (mahapolice.gov.in), Karnataka (ksp.gov.in)
- Register and select "Theft" → "Mobile Phone Theft"
- Fill IMEI, model, and incident details
- Download the FIR copy — keep a PDF with you
Option 2: Visit the Police Station
Go to the police station that covers the area where the theft happened — not your home address. For theft at a market or mall, the station in that area has jurisdiction.
Ask the duty officer to register an FIR under Section 379 IPC (theft)
This is the correct section for phone theft. Don't accept a "non-cognizable complaint" (NC) instead — an FIR is a cognizable offence and police are legally required to register it.
Provide all documents and IMEI
Hand over copies of your invoice and ID. Write down the IMEI in the FIR document yourself if needed.
Get the FIR number and a certified copy
You're entitled to a free copy of the FIR. Ask for it before leaving. Note the FIR number, the police station name, and the investigating officer's name.
If police refuse to register
Send a written complaint to the Superintendent of Police (SP) of the district. You can also file a private complaint with the Magistrate under CrPC Section 156(3). Police legally cannot refuse to register an FIR for a cognizable offence.
Step 3: Block Your IMEI via CEIR (Sanchar Saathi)
After getting the FIR number, go to sancharsaathi.gov.in and report your stolen phone. This blocks the IMEI across all Indian carriers — the phone becomes unusable on any network.
Go to sancharsaathi.gov.in → "CEIR" → "Block Stolen/Lost Mobile"
Enter your IMEI number(s). Dual-SIM phones have two IMEIs — block both.
Enter your FIR number and the police station name
Provide your phone number and Aadhaar for verification
Submit and save the reference number. Blocking usually takes 24–48 hours to propagate across all carriers.
You can also unblock the IMEI at the same portal if the phone is recovered — you'll need the original reference number.
For Insurance Claims
If your phone is insured (under a bank credit card protection plan, Flipkart/Amazon protection plan, or a standalone policy), you'll need:
FIR copy (with FIR number and police station stamp)
CEIR blocking reference number
Original purchase invoice
IMEI number
Bank statement showing purchase (for card-linked protection plans)
Claim form from your insurer
File the insurance claim within 24–48 hours of theft — most plans have a short claim window for stolen devices.