New Delhi | Special Report: In India, the digital arrest scam has moved far beyond being a mere online fraud technique. It has evolved into a highly organised and structured cybercrime model. The impact of this scam is not limited to financial losses alone; it deeply affects victims’ mental well-being, social reputation, and public trust in the legal system.
Official data presented by the government in the Rajya Sabha clearly underlines the scale of the threat. Between 2022 and 2024, cases related to digital arrest scams recorded an almost threefold increase. In 2022, authorities registered 39,925 cases, with total losses amounting to ₹91.14 crore. By 2024, the number of cases surged to 1,23,672, while the amount defrauded jumped to ₹1,935.51 crore—an increase of nearly 21 times in just two years.
Who Is Being Targeted: From Professionals to Senior Citizens
According to cyber crime expert and former IPS officer, Professor Triveni Singh, the long-held belief that cyber fraud targets only technologically unaware individuals has completely collapsed.
He notes that in recent years, victims of digital arrest scams have increasingly included doctors, chartered accountants, lawyers, retired government officials, senior corporate professionals, and elderly citizens. Fraudsters deliberately target individuals with strong social standing and lifetime savings, knowing that fear of reputational damage often compels them to comply silently.
What Is ‘Digital Arrest’ and How the Scam Operates
As per analysis by the Center for Police Technology (CPT), digital arrest is a cyber fraud mechanism built entirely on fear, deception, and psychological manipulation.
In this scam, criminals convince victims that they are involved in serious crimes—such as money laundering, drug trafficking, or anti-national activities—and that immediate action is required to avoid arrest or public disgrace. Former IPS officer Triveni Singh states unequivocally:
“There is no legal process in India called ‘digital arrest’. The term has been invented by cybercriminals solely to intimidate victims and destroy their ability to make rational decisions.”
Common Accusations Used to Create Pressure
Experts point out that scammers usually pose as officials from the police, CBI, ED, or other central investigation agencies, contacting victims through phone or video calls and levying accusations such as:
- Money laundering through bank accounts
- Involvement in drug or financial fraud cases
- A son, husband, or relative named in a rape or other serious offence
- Links to government fraud or anti-national activities
Victims are then told they are under digital surveillance, must remain on camera, avoid contacting anyone, and immediately transfer large sums of money to have their name “cleared” from the case.
Recent Cases: Why Senior Citizens Are Prime Targets
Incidents reported over the past few months reveal a clear pattern—elderly and retired individuals are being systematically targeted:
- ₹1.5 crore defrauded from a retired chartered accountant in Bhubaneswar
- ₹51 lakh taken from a 78-year-old man in Hyderabad
- ₹1.43 crore extorted from a 73-year-old woman in Hyderabad
- ₹31 lakh stolen from an 83-year-old woman in Noida
- ₹75.5 lakh taken from a retired Tata Hospital employee in Mumbai
In each case, victims were kept under intense psychological pressure for days or even months, deliberately isolated from family and social support.
What the Law Says: No Concept of ‘Digital Arrest’
Indian law recognises no procedure known as digital arrest. According to Professor Triveni Singh, any lawful arrest requires:
- A registered FIR or a valid written complaint
- A magistrate-issued warrant in many cases
- Disclosure of identity and reason at the time of arrest
- The accused’s right to a lawyer and to inform family members
He warns unequivocally that no police or central agency issues arrest warrants or demands money via WhatsApp, video calls, or social media.
Why People Fall for It: Fear and Guilt at Play
According to CPT and cybercrime experts, this scam exploits two powerful emotions—fear and guilt. In Indian society, the fear of being falsely implicated in a criminal case is deeply ingrained. Fraudsters exploit this insecurity to weaken victims’ logical thinking, forcing them into hasty and costly decisions.
10 Essential Steps to Protect Yourself from Digital Arrest Scams
- No government agency makes arrests over video calls
- Anyone threatening arrest on a call is likely a fraudster
- Never share OTPs, UPI PINs, or banking details
- Urgent demands for money are a clear red flag
- Never install remote-access apps like AnyDesk
- Disconnect the call immediately if you feel suspicious
- Inform a trusted family member or friend at once
- Call the 1930 Cyber Helpline immediately
- File a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in
- Regularly educate senior citizens and children about such scams
