Last updated:
If someone may be in immediate danger, call the police first. In Pakistan, dial 15 for police or 1122 for Rescue/emergency services. Outside Pakistan, call your local emergency number. Dykho is not a law-enforcement agency, and a Dykho report never replaces a police report.
When someone you love goes missing, the first hours matter most — and it's hard to think clearly. This guide sets out what to do, in order, so nothing important gets missed. You do not need to wait 24 hours before reporting someone missing. If the person is a child, elderly, unwell, or vulnerable in any way, act immediately.
1. In the first hour
- Search the immediate area — home, the building, the street, and the places the person usually goes. Children often hide or fall asleep somewhere close by.
- Call people who might know — family, friends, neighbours, school, workplace, and the last person who saw them.
- Try their phone and check messaging apps and social media for recent activity or location sharing.
- Check nearby hospitals and, if relevant, police stations and shelters.
- Stay reachable. Keep one person at home in case the missing person returns or calls, and keep your phone charged and switched on.
2. Gather the details investigators will ask for
Write these down while they're fresh — you'll need them for the police and for your Dykho report:
- Full name, any nicknames, age, and date of birth.
- A recent, clear photo of the face — the single most useful thing you can share.
- Height, build, hair, eye colour, and any distinguishing features (scars, birthmarks, glasses, a limp).
- Exactly what they were wearing and carrying when last seen.
- Where and when they were last seen, who they were with, and where they might have been going.
- Phone number, vehicle details, and any medical conditions or medication they need.
3. Report to the police
Go to the nearest police station (or call 15) and report the person missing. Bring the photo and the details above. Ask for a written record of your report — in Pakistan, a First Information Report (FIR) or a reference number — and the name of the officer handling it. Keep a copy; you may be asked for it later.
4. Report the case on Dykho
File a report on Dykho so the case can be searched and shared. You'll need a free account with a verified email address. Every report is reviewed by a moderator before it appears in public search, which keeps out fake and duplicate cases. Once it's published, the case gets its own page you can share, and anyone who recognises the person can send you a tip — anonymously if they prefer. Tips are visible only to you and to Dykho's administrators.
5. Share the case — safely
- Share the case link, not just the photo. A link keeps the details accurate and gives people one place to send tips.
- Post in local WhatsApp and Facebook groups for the area where the person was last seen — local sharing produces the most useful sightings.
- Don't publish your home address or private family details. The case page doesn't need them.
- Beware of scams. People sometimes contact families claiming to have information and demanding money. Never pay anyone for information; pass such contacts to the police.
- Pass every credible tip or sighting to the police officer handling the case.
6. If you have found someone who seems lost
- Make sure they are safe, and call 15 or 1122 if they need help or medical care.
- Search Dykho's cases in case their family has already reported them missing.
- If there's no match, file a found-person report so their family can find them.
- Avoid posting a child's full details publicly yourself; let the police or a moderated report handle it.
7. When the person is found
Tell the police straight away so they can close their case, and update your Dykho report to Found from My Reports. The case page will then show that the person has been found, so people stop searching and sharing it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to wait 24 hours before reporting someone missing?
No. You can report someone missing as soon as you're worried about their safety. For a child or a vulnerable adult, report immediately.
Do I need an account to submit a tip?
No. Anyone can submit a tip from a case page without signing in. Your name, email, and phone number are optional.
Do I need an account to report a missing person?
Yes. Reporting requires a free account with a verified email address, so that the family can be contacted about tips and so that fake reports can be kept out.
Why isn't my report showing in search yet?
Every new report is reviewed by a moderator before it's published. Once it's approved, it appears in public search and gets its own shareable page.
Who can see the tips sent about my case?
Only you, as the person who filed the report, and Dykho's administrators. Tips are never shown publicly.
Is Dykho part of the police?
No. Dykho is an independent platform that helps families share cases and receive information. Always report to the police as well, and pass on any credible information you receive.
Need help with a report? Contact us, or search active cases to see if you can help someone else.