The Central Bureau of Investigation will begin issuing notices with special QR codes from May 1, allowing recipients to verify through an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot called ABHAY whether a document is genuine or forged, in what officials described as a safeguard against fake legal threats used in cyber fraud.
QR Code Verification to Begin From May 1
CBI notices issued from May 1 will carry a QR code and an expiry date. When a person receives such a notice, especially through WhatsApp, email or SMS, the code can be scanned using ABHAY on the official CBI website, which will immediately check the agency’s internal database to determine whether the document is real or fake.
Officials said the system is designed to provide real-time verification and make it harder for fraudsters to reuse old notices. The chatbot was launched at the 22nd D P Kohli Memorial Lecture on Monday.
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Fraudsters Exploit Fear and Fake Legal Threats
The reports describe a growing pattern in which cybercriminals pose as CBI or other law enforcement officials, send fake notices or make video calls, threaten digital arrest or legal action, and pressure victims into transferring money immediately. The material says the tactic works by creating panic and urgency, especially among people unfamiliar with official procedures.
Authorities say senior citizens and retirees are particularly vulnerable. It is noted that many victims lose life savings accumulated over decades, suffer shock and distress, and often feel embarrassed or hesitant to report the crime.
Citizen Safety and Faster Response at the Centre
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant described the initiative as a pivotal and opportune safeguard against fraudsters masquerading as CBI officials. The CJI highlighted a broader need for cybercrime systems to be easy, accessible and empathetic, with faster response times and simpler reporting processes.
It is advised to people who receive such a notice not to panic or act immediately, not to transfer money under pressure, and to verify the document through ABHAY and other official sources before taking any step. It also urges prompt reporting of suspicious activity.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
