New Delhi — The Supreme Court of India has issued notices to the Union government, the CBI, and the Haryana Police after uncovering an elaborate cyber scam in which fraudsters allegedly used fake judicial documents to extort money from a senior citizen couple in Ambala.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi heard the matter on October 17, acting on a complaint received last month that detailed how scammers posed as officials of the CBI, Enforcement Directorate, and even the Supreme Court.
Between September 3 and 16, 2025, the victims were coerced into transferring ₹1.05 crore, after the fraudsters displayed counterfeit court orders, arrest warrants, and seals during video calls.
The bench described the crime as “a direct assault on the dignity and majesty of this institution,” ordering a status report from Ambala’s Cyber Crime Branch by October 27 and seeking assistance from the Attorney General of India.
Forged Orders and Faked Authority
The Court noted that the scammers had fabricated official-looking documents, including a “Freeze Order” under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), an “Arrest Order” bearing the ED’s seal, and a “Surveillance Order” forged with judicial signatures.
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The bench observed that such crimes “go far beyond ordinary cybercrime,” as they involve the criminal misuse of the judiciary’s name, seal, and authority — a threat that could erode public trust in India’s legal system.
“Fabricating judicial orders with forged signatures strikes at the very foundation of public trust in the judiciary,” the Court said, calling the misuse of judicial symbols “a matter of grave concern.”
A National Pattern of Digital Arrests
The Supreme Court’s move comes amid a nationwide surge in digital arrest scams, where fraudsters impersonate police or investigative agencies and coerce victims into transferring funds under the pretext of “ongoing investigations.”
According to Home Ministry data, Indian citizens lost ₹22,845.73 crore to cyber fraud in 2024 — a 200% rise from the previous year — with over 36.37 lakh incidents recorded.
Earlier this year, the government blocked 83,668 WhatsApp accounts and nearly 4,000 Skype IDs linked to similar scams, where victims were “digitally detained” over video calls until they made payments.
Court Calls for Nationwide Coordination
Noting that the Ambala case was not an isolated event, the Supreme Court urged both central and state police forces to launch a coordinated crackdown. It also called for a national framework to investigate and prosecute forgery of judicial seals and misuse of court insignia.
Legal experts say the Court’s intervention marks a pivotal shift — placing digital arrest scams not merely as cybercrimes but as offences against the integrity of India’s justice system.
“The forgery of judicial authority is not just fraud — it’s an attack on democracy’s very foundations,” said a senior cyber law analyst.
The Court’s final word: such acts demand not only technological vigilance but a reaffirmation of the rule of law in the digital age.
