People often confuse reports and complaints, thinking they mean the same thing since both serve to notify authorities about a crime. However, there are important differences between them, as outlined below:

Difference 1:

• Report:
  A report can be submitted by any person, usually someone who is not personally harmed but acts to protect the public interest. The reporter may sometimes be harmed but reports only for the public good, without seeking personal rights against the accused.
  A report may even be made by the offender themselves, but only if it is made before the authorities become aware of the crime. This is considered a confession. If made after authorities know about the crime, it is simply a confession, not a report.
• Complaint:
  A complaint is submitted by the victim, their legal representative, or their heirs.

Difference 2:

• Report:
  It is not necessary for the victim to file the report for criminal proceedings or investigations to begin because a report deals with public rights. Therefore, anyone can file a report, including the victim, as long as it is before the authorities know of the crime.
• Complaint:
  Usually, criminal proceedings or investigations involving private rights start only when the victim, their representative, or heirs file a complaint with the competent authority—unless the prosecution decides that a public interest justifies pursuing the case without a complaint.

Difference 3:

• Report:
  A person who fails to report a crime may be punished for collusion with the accused.
• Complaint:
  No punishment applies for failing to file a complaint.

Difference 4

Complaint:
A complaint must be against a specific person to initiate criminal proceedings. Complaints against unknown persons are not accepted.

Report:
A report can be made against known or unknown persons.