Legal Advice for Financial and Cyber Crime Cases

If your cheque bounces because the bank has frozen your account, is it a criminal offense under the NI Act? The Delhi High Court says no. I explain the legal nuance that a cheque bounce due to a frozen account, for reasons other than insufficient funds, does not constitute an offense.

A new share trading scam is targeting people on WhatsApp with promises of high returns. I share a real client story where a couple lost over a crore of rupees. I explain how these scams work and why it is crucial to be cautious of such unsolicited offers.

If someone gives you a cheque and then closes their bank account, it is treated similarly to a cheque bounce. I explain that you can file a case under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instrument Act to recover your money and pursue legal action against the issuer.

Using a fake experience letter to get a job can land you in serious trouble. If the company verifies and finds the document is forged, they can take legal action. I explain that this offense can lead to imprisonment for up to seven years.

If you use Paytm Payments Bank, you must withdraw your funds. I explain the RBI's ban on the bank due to non-compliance with KYC norms, linking single PANs to multiple accounts, and allowing transactions beyond permissible limits, which raised money laundering concerns.

Have you become a victim of cyber fraud? I outline the immediate steps you must take. First, inform your bank to freeze your accounts, then lodge a complaint on the national cybercrime portal, and finally, visit your nearest police station for assistance.

Never issue a blank cheque to anyone. I explain the legal implications under Section 139 of the Negotiable Instrument Act. If that cheque is bounced, you could face up to two years in jail and a penalty of double the cheque amount.

There is a new scam where a caller pretends to be your father's friend and claims to have mistakenly transferred money to your account. I warn against this tactic, as they have your details and will try to trick you into a fraudulent transaction that empties your account.