CBI Granted Countrywide Jurisdiction; Banks, Social-Media Platforms and State Authorities Ordered to Coordinate and Provide Full Support
New Delhi – With cyber criminals increasingly impersonating government officers over WhatsApp calls and video links — threatening victims with arrest and coercing them into paying large sums — the menace of the ‘Digital Arrest Scam’ has rapidly escalated across India. Recognising the gravity of the threat, the Supreme Court of India on Monday issued a landmark directive empowering the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take up a centralised, nationwide probe into these cases.
The apex court has also instructed state governments, banks, social-media companies and digital payment platforms to fully cooperate with the federal agency and ensure seamless coordination to dismantle the network behind the scam.
What Has the Supreme Court Ordered?
All state governments must immediately grant consent to the CBI to investigate digital arrest cases that occur within their jurisdictions.
Banks that are found to have knowingly allowed accounts to be opened using forged or dubious KYC documents may face anti-corruption proceedings against responsible officials.
Tech platforms — including messaging apps and internet-calling services — used by scammers to threaten victims must provide complete data access and technical support to investigators.
In instances where the crime originates overseas or involves cross-border syndicates, the CBI is authorised to seek international cooperation including through Interpol.
Senior judicial officials noted that the widespread scale and sophisticated financial-networking involved in these scams demand a coordinated national response rather than fragmented state-level action.
What is a Digital Arrest Scam and How Does It Work?
Cyber fraudsters typically pose as:
- Police officers
- Cybercrime investigators
- CBI/ED officials
- Court authorities
Using WhatsApp or video calls, they intimidate potential victims by claiming:
- A crime or financial offence has been linked to their ID
- Their bank accounts will be frozen
- They are under “digital arrest” and legally prohibited from disconnecting the call
- Their physical arrest is imminent if they do not cooperate
Victims, often overwhelmed by panic, transfer money or share sensitive details like bank credentials, which the scammers quickly exploit.
To make the threat appear real, fraudsters show:
- Fake legal notices
- Simulated police-station or courtroom backdrops
- Falsified FIR or digital evidence screens
Tech experts say the fraud capitalises on the growth of VoIP calling, instant payment systems, and weak online identity verification — enabling criminals to exploit vulnerabilities across jurisdictions.
Why a National-Level Probe Was Needed
Authorities have seen:
- A sharp surge in complaints between 2024–2025
- Large number of cases where individual losses exceed ₹50 lakh to ₹4 crore
- Scammers switching SIM cards, identities and locations across multiple states
- Funds layered via digital wallets, mule accounts and crypto pathways
This scattered footprint made it nearly impossible for isolated state units to investigate effectively, as financial and digital trails frequently jump across state — and even national — borders.
What Happens Next?
Under court instructions:
- CBI will track digital footprints, device data, payment logs, SIM ownership records and hawala links
- Financial institutions will be subjected to enhanced compliance scrutiny
- Messaging and social-media companies must enable faster data access to identify perpetrator networks
- States must strengthen cyber cells, share intelligence, and run public-awareness drives
Officials believe the move could lead to the discovery of organised cyber-criminal syndicates — some with potential links to foreign actors.
How to Stay Safe — Cybersecurity Advisories
Experts recommend:
- Do not trust any caller claiming you’ve been “digitally arrested”
- Never share OTPs, bank passwords, UPI PINs, Aadhaar, PAN or financial details
- Disconnect immediately if threatened over video or voice call
- Report incidents promptly to 1930 — National Cybercrime Helpline or cybercrime.gov.in
Public awareness, authorities say, remains the first line of defence.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s intervention underscores that digital extortion has evolved from a niche cybercrime into a national security and economic risk.
The new mandate for CBI provides the framework needed to crack these networks — but the success of the crackdown also hinges on how alert and informed common citizens are.
Because while enforcement agencies can dismantle the syndicates, your vigilance prevents you from becoming their next target.
