HomeCirculars › RBI/2012-13/328

RBI Tightens NBFC Fraud Reporting Rules

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/328 · issued 13 Dec 2012 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI mandates NBFCs-ND-SI to report frauds of Rs 25 lakh+ to DBS Central Office within three weeks (21 days) via FMR-1, with a copy to the regional DNBS office. FMR-3 quarterly reports should be filed with DBS CO only for frauds of Rs 25 lakh or above; for smaller frauds (Rs 1 lakh and above), file only with the regional DNBS office within 15 days of quarter end. Fraud closure requires prior approval from the regional DNBS office and completion of all actions: police/CBI disposal, staff accountability, recovery/write-off, insurance settlement, and system review.
The rule, in the simplest words
How it plays out — a real example

An NBFC compliance officer in Indore, Mr. Kumar, ensures that all fraud cases involving Rs 25 lakh or more are reported to the DBS Central Office within 21 days, with a copy to the regional DNBS office. He also makes sure to file FMR-3 quarterly reports only with DBS CO for such cases, and submits smaller fraud reports to the regional office within 15 days of the quarter end. Mr. Kumar's diligence helps prevent delays and ensures that fraud cases are thoroughly investigated and resolved.

What changed

RBI observed that some NBFCs were not filing FMR-1 for frauds of Rs 25 lakh and above, delaying caution advice issuance. Now, FMR-1 must be sent to DBS Central Office within 21 days for all such cases, with a copy to the regional DNBS office. FMR-3 quarterly reports should only be filed with DBS CO for frauds of Rs 25 lakh or more; smaller frauds go only to the regional office. Fraud closure now requires prior approval from the regional DNBS office and completion of police/CBI disposal, staff accountability, recovery/write-off, insurance settlement, and system review.

What it means for you

NBFCs-ND-SI must tighten internal fraud detection and reporting processes to avoid delays. The stricter closure norms ensure fraud cases are not prematurely closed, reducing systemic risk. NBFCs should expect more rigorous follow-up from RBI on pending fraud cases, especially those involving high amounts.

What you must do

Who it affects

All Non-Deposit taking NBFCs-ND-SIs

❓ Common questions

What is the deadline for filing FMR-1 for frauds of Rs 25 lakh and above?

FMR-1 must be filed within 21 days from the date of detection of the fraud.

Can we close a fraud case if the police complaint is still pending?

No, fraud cases can only be closed after prior approval from the regional DNBS office and completion of all required actions, including final disposal by CBI/police/court, staff accountability, recovery/write-off, insurance settlement, and system review.

Where should we file FMR-3 for frauds involving less than Rs 25 lakh?

FMR-3 for frauds involving less than Rs 25 lakh should be filed only with the Regional Office of DNBS under whose jurisdiction the NBFC's registered office falls, not with DBS Central Office.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2012-13/328 DNBS.PD.CC. No. 314 /03.10.042 / 2012-13 December 13, 2012 All Non-Deposit taking NBFCs-ND-SIs Dear Sir/Madam, Progress report on frauds A reference is invited to Master Circular DNBS (PD)CC.No.283/03.10.042/2012-13 dated July 2, 2012 on future approach towards monitoring of frauds in NBFCs. 2. As per Para 3.1.4 of the said Circular, the fraud reports in the prescribed format should be sent by the NBFCs to the Central Office (CO) of the Reserve Bank of India, Department of Banking Supervision, Frauds Monitoring Cell where the amount involved in fraud is Rs 25 lakhs and above and to Regional Office of the Reserve Bank of India, Department of Non-Banking Supervision under whose jurisdiction the Registered Office of the NBFC falls where the fraud amount involved in fraud is less than Rs 25 lakh, in the format given in FMR – 1, within three weeks from the date of detection. A copy of FMR-1 where the amount involved in the Fraud is Rs 25 lakhs and above should also be submitted to the Regional Office of the Department of Non-Banking Supervision of Reserve Bank of India under whose jurisdiction the Registered Office of the NBFC falls. 3. It has been observed that in some cases the eligible NBFCs are not furnishing the FMR-1 in respect of cases involving an amount of Rs 25.00 lakh and above in individual cases of fraud to Fraud Monitoring Cell (FrMC),DBS,CO at all and the incidence of fraud is detected on scrutiny of FMR -II and FMR-III statements pertaining to a quarter received at the end of the relevant quarter. Since FMR1 in respect of cases involving amount of Rs 25.00 lakh and above is used by FrMC DBS, Central Office for issuance of Caution Advices against the borrowers, all NBFCs have to necessarily furnish FMR-1 in respect of cases involving an amount of Rs 25.00 lakh and above in individual cases of fraud to Fraud Monitoring Cell (FrMC),DBS,CO within 21 days of detection of the fraud. A copy of the same should also be submitted to the Regional Office of the Department of Non-Banking Supervision of Reserve Bank of India under whose jurisdiction the Registered Office of the NBFC falls. 4. Further some NBFC-ND-SIs have started filing the FMR-3 in respect of cases involving amount less than Rs 25.00 lakh with DBS, CO, Fr MC which is causing avoidable duplicity without any material benefit. NBFCs should furnish case-wise quarterly progress reports on frauds involving Rs. 1 lakh and above in the format given in FMR – 3 only to Regional Office of the Reserve Bank of India, Department of Non-Banking Supervision under whose jurisdiction the Registered Office of the NBFC falls within 15 days of the end of the quarter to which it relates. NBFCs are advised to file FMR-3 with DBS,CO FrMC in respect of only those fraud cases where the amount involved in particular account is Rs 25.00 lakh or above. 5. It has also been observed from the fraud reports submitted by some of the NBFCs that they are closing the fraud cases even when police complaint in the fraud case is pending or not filed at all and/or staff side action is yet to be completed /initiated by the NBFC concerned. Accordingly it is advised that NBFCs are permitted to close the fraud cases only where the actions as stated below are complete and prior approval is obtained from the respective Regional Offices of DNBS. The fraud cases pending with CBI / Police / Court are finally disposed of. The examination of staff accountability has been completed The amount of fraud has been recovered or written off. Insurance claim wherever applicable has been settled. The NBFC has reviewed the systems and procedures, identified as the causative factors and plugged the lacunae and the fact of which has been certified by the appropriate authority (Board / Audit Committee of the Board) NBFCs should also pursue vigorously with CBI for final disposal of pending fraud cases especially where they have completed staff side action. Similarly, NBFCs may vigorously follow up with the police authorities and / or court for final disposal of fraud cases. 6. NBFCs are allowed, for limited statistical / reporting purposes, to close those fraud cases involving amounts upto Rs.25.00 lakh, where : a) The investigation is on or challan / charge sheet not filed in the Court for more than three years from the date of filing of First Information Report (FIR) by the CBI / Police., or b) The trial in the courts, after filing of charge sheet / challan by CBI / Police, has not started, or is in progress. Yours faithfully ( Uma Subramanian ) Chief General Manager In-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/328 · issued 13 Dec 2012. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Who does what — compliance checklist
⚙️ Operations
  • Do not close any fraud case without prior approval from the regional DNBS office and completion of all required actions: police/CBI disposal, staff accountability, recovery/write-off, insurance settlement, and system review.
💻 IT / Systems
  • Review and update internal fraud monitoring systems to ensure timely and accurate reporting.
📜 Compliance
  • Ensure FMR-1 for frauds of Rs 25 lakh and above is filed with DBS Central Office within 21 days of detection, with a copy to the regional DNBS office.
  • File FMR-3 quarterly reports only with DBS CO for frauds of Rs 25 lakh or more; for smaller frauds, submit only to the regional DNBS office.
  • Vigorously pursue pending fraud cases with CBI, police, or courts for final disposal.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template

Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (All Non-Deposit taking NBFCs-ND-SIs), your first concrete step on “RBI Tightens NBFC Fraud Reporting Rules” is: “Ensure FMR-1 for frauds of Rs 25 lakh and above is filed with DBS Central Office within 21 days of detection, with a copy to the regional DNBS office.” (RBI issued this 13 Dec 2012).

  1. Circular: RBI/2012-13/328 -- RBI Tightens NBFC Fraud Reporting Rules
  2. Issued: 13 Dec 2012
  3. Action required: Ensure FMR-1 for frauds of Rs 25 lakh and above is filed with DBS Central Office within 21 days of detection, with a copy to the regional DNBS office.
  4. Action required: File FMR-3 quarterly reports only with DBS CO for frauds of Rs 25 lakh or more; for smaller frauds, submit only to the regional DNBS office.
  5. Action required: Do not close any fraud case without prior approval from the regional DNBS office and completion of all required actions: police/CBI disposal, staff accountability, recovery/write-off, insurance settlement, and system review.
  6. Action required: Vigorously pursue pending fraud cases with CBI, police, or courts for final disposal.
  7. Action required: Review and update internal fraud monitoring systems to ensure timely and accurate reporting.
  8. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  9. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  10. Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.

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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=7746&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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