The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate cases related to the “digital arrest" scam.
The apex court said that digital arrest scams require the immediate attention of the central agency. It added that, in subsequent stages, the CBI will also probe scams carried out in the name of investment opportunities and part-time jobs.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the CBI would have a free hand to probe bankers under the Prevention of Corruption Act in cases where bank accounts were opened for digital arrest scams.
The Supreme Court also gave the CBI the nod to go beyond borders, stating that the agency may seek Interpol’s assistance as and when required.
The CJI further directed social media intermediaries to extend full cooperation to the CBI during the investigation.
The top court also sought the Reserve Bank of India’s assistance on when artificial intelligence and machine learning tools could be used to identify such accounts and freeze the proceeds of crime.
What Is ‘Digital Arrest’?
‘Digital arrest’ is a cyber fraud in which scammers pose as law enforcement officials and contact victims through audio or video calls. By creating fear and urgency, they intimidate people into transferring money, falsely claiming that the victim is under arrest and must comply to avoid legal action or detention.
Digital arrest scams and related cybercrimes reported on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal alone totalled 1,23,672 cases in 2024.
Authorities have clarified that no such legal term as a “digital arrest" exists. Despite this, even well-educated individuals have been falling victim to these scams.
Scammers typically contact victims claiming that a parcel linked to them has been intercepted and allegedly contains illegal items such as narcotics, forged documents, or other prohibited goods. In some cases, victims are told that a family member or close associate has been arrested or involved in a serious offence. The fraudsters then demand money to “close" the case.
In several cases, victims are placed under what scammers describe as a “digital arrest", during which they are forced to remain on continuous video calls through platforms like Skype or other conferencing apps until payment is made.
To add credibility, the criminals often operate from studio setups designed to resemble police stations or government offices and may wear uniforms. Across the country, many victims have lost significant sums of money to such scams.
