“Digital Arrest” scams are sweeping India in 2025, targeting mostly senior citizens. Fraudsters impersonate police, CBI, ED, or even the Supreme Court, forcing victims to stay on 24×7 video calls under threat of arrest or account freezes. Victims have lost over ₹100 crore. In a landmark suo motu order, the Supreme Court directed a nationwide CBI investigation and systemic reforms to stop this digital extortion.
How the Scam Works
- Initial Contact: Cold call or SMS with official-looking logos and caller IDs.
- Accusation: Victim is accused of serious crimes like money laundering, drug trafficking, or illegal parcels.
- Digital Custody: Video call begins on WhatsApp or Skype, with scammers wearing fake uniforms.
- Forged Documents: Fake FIRs, bank freeze orders, and Supreme Court seals displayed.
- Threats and Isolation: Victims are told not to inform family.
- Money Extortion: Payment demanded via UPI, bank transfer, crypto, or mutual funds.
- Disappearance: Once money is transferred, scammers vanish.
Key fact: No Indian law allows arrest or legal proceedings via phone or video call. Digital custody is illegal.
Real-Life Cases
- Noida: 83-year-old professor, 5-day call, lost ₹31 lakh.
- Kolkata: 77-year-old woman, 4-day call, lost ₹1.2 crore.
- Lucknow: Retired railway officer, 2-day call, lost ₹47 lakh.
- Gujarat: Two siblings sold ancestral property, lost ₹21 lakh.
- Ambala: Senior-citizen couple lost ₹1.54 crore via forged Supreme Court letter, triggering SC intervention.
Most victims are elderly, trusting, and terrified of arrest.
Supreme Court’s Landmark Response
The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance in SMW (Crl.) 3/2025, titled In Re: Victims of Digital Arrest Related to Forged Documents, following the Ambala couple’s petition. Recognizing the nationwide surge in “Digital Arrest” cases, the Court described these scams as “an assault on the dignity of the judiciary” and issued the following directives:
- CBI to conduct a nationwide investigation into all digital arrest cases.
- State governments to provide immediate consent for CBI probes.
- Banks and RBI to deploy AI systems to detect and freeze “mule accounts” used to receive scam money.
- Telecom companies and digital platforms (WhatsApp, Google) must preserve call data and assist in tracing scammers.
- Develop a Model Protocol to prevent misuse of telecom networks for such scams.
- Strengthen cybercrime cells in all states and union territories for rapid response.
The Court emphasized that digital extortion using fake authority, especially impersonating the judiciary, will be met with the strongest institutional response, and no legal process can be executed via phone or video call.
Red-Flag Checklist
Recognize a scam immediately if you encounter:
- Caller claims to be from police, CBI, ED, Customs, or Supreme Court.
- Threats of immediate arrest, account freeze, or family detention.
- Continuous video calls with instructions to stay isolated.
- Requests money for “bail,” “verification,” or “settlement” via UPI, bank, crypto, or gift cards.
- Display of “official documents” or Supreme Court seals.
What to Do Immediately
- Hang up and do not join video calls.
- Call 1930 (National Cyber Helpline) or 100.
- Report at https://cybercrime.gov.in.
- Inform family and your bank.
- Forward suspicious numbers or documents to checkadangerousnumber@cybercrime.gov.in.
Tip: Real officers encourage verification; scammers panic when challenged.
The Road Ahead
With the CBI tracking international gangs and banks using AI to detect fraud, incidents may fall in 2026. Public awareness is critical, especially for the elderly and vulnerable. The Supreme Court’s directions also set a precedent: digital extortion using fake authority will be met with the strongest institutional response.
Conclusion
“Digital Arrest” scams exploit fear and technology, but the law is clear: no arrest, investigation, or bail can happen digitally. There is no digital arrest in Indian law, only digital extortion.
Authored by,
Ms. Jagriti Dugar
(Associate Advocate – IPR Prosecution)