The top court has taken a stern view of rising “digital arrest” frauds — where scammers pose as officials and extort money — and has signalled crackdown plans amid losses estimated at ₹3,000 crore.
The Supreme Court has taken a strong stand against the growing menace of “digital arrest” scams across India, calling them a direct attack on citizens’ trust in the justice system.
Over the past few months, cybercriminals posing as police officers, CBI officials, and even judges have tricked thousands of victims into transferring large sums of money. The scams have now caused an estimated loss of ₹3,000 crore, the court noted.
What Are Digital Arrest Scams?
In these scams, victims receive calls or messages from fraudsters pretending to be law enforcement officers.
- They claim the victim is involved in a crime or money laundering case.
- Then, they demand money to “settle” or “verify” the issue.
- Victims are sometimes kept on video calls for hours — a fake form of “digital custody.”
The Supreme Court said these scams have “eroded public faith in the criminal justice system.”
Court Orders Strict Measures
A bench led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud directed the Centre, state governments, and law enforcement agencies to:
- Crack down on online scam networks operating from within and outside India.
- Coordinate with telecom operators to block suspicious numbers.
- Launch awareness campaigns to warn citizens about such frauds.
- Strengthen cyber cells for faster investigation and victim support.
The bench emphasized that the Centre must treat this as a national emergency in cyberspace.
Supreme Court’s Statement
“These frauds strike at the very foundation of trust in governance and law enforcement. Such activities must be dealt with iron hands,” the court observed.
How the Scam Network Works
Cybercrime units have traced several fraud hubs operating from Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and northeastern states, as well as from foreign bases in Cambodia and Myanmar.
Fraudsters use apps and VoIP numbers to mask locations and target victims across India.
What You Can Do to Stay Safe
Authorities have advised citizens to follow these safety rules:
- Never share personal or banking details over phone calls.
- Verify any official communication directly via government helplines.
- Report suspicious calls on cybercrime.gov.in or the 1930 helpline.
- Avoid clicking links sent by unknown numbers or profiles.
Government’s Next Steps
The Ministry of Home Affairs is expected to set up a dedicated cybercrime task force.
It will work alongside the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to monitor international scam networks.
The Supreme Court also urged banks and digital payment platforms to enhance fraud detection systems and ensure faster compensation for verified victims.
Summary
- Supreme Court calls ₹3,000 crore scam a “national cyber threat.”
- Orders strict action against fake police and online extortion gangs.
- Citizens advised to verify calls and report immediately via official channels.
