India recorded over 21,900 digital arrest fraud complaints involving more than ₹647 crore between January and August 2026.
What Does the Government Report Reveal?
The figures were submitted to the Supreme Court in a status report by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The report, filed on October 7, details measures to prevent digital arrest scams, recover stolen money and strengthen coordination among investigative agencies.
The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the issue on October 17, 2025, following a complaint from an elderly Haryana couple allegedly cheated of more than ₹1 crore by fraudsters impersonating CBI and Enforcement Directorate officials.
Earlier figures placed before the court showed 1,23,672 complaints involving ₹1,935 crore in 2024, followed by 58,239 complaints involving ₹1,211 crore in 2025.
How Much Money Has Been Recovered?
The government’s Grievance Redressal Portal, launched in February, became fully operational nationwide in April 2026. By September 30, it covered 109 banks and 1.28 lakh branches. Of 93,041 cyberfraud-related grievances received, law enforcement agencies had acted on 60,638.
A separate Money Restoration Portal, introduced in April, facilitated restoration orders worth ₹332.7 crore, of which ₹112.96 crore had been returned to victims through banks.
What Banking Safeguards Are Planned?
The Reserve Bank of India is examining stronger monitoring of money mule accounts and amendments to existing banking instructions. Discussions also cover delayed transactions and temporary credit restrictions to prevent fraudulent withdrawals.
New customer protection instructions, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, provide eligible victims of small-value fraudulent electronic banking transactions compensation of 85% of their net loss or ₹25,000, whichever is lower. Eligibility requires reporting the fraud to the bank and through the national cybercrime reporting system or helpline 1930 within five calendar days.
What Action Are Investigators Taking?
The Supreme Court has directed the CBI to investigate digital arrest cases involving fraud of ₹10 crore or more. Since December 1, 2025, the agency has arrested more than 49 people and filed chargesheets against over 140 individuals.
The government is also expanding the e-Zero FIR mechanism and strengthening state-level cybercrime coordination. All states except Jharkhand have established State Cybercrime Coordination Centres.
Can Long Fraudulent Calls Be Disconnected?
Authorities are examining a proposed mechanism to automatically disconnect prolonged audio and video calls associated with digital arrest scams.
Major telecom operators already have a similar facility, with calls lasting up to 180 minutes. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has discussed implementation with Meta and Telegram, although practical concerns remain.
The Supreme Court will hear the matter again on October 29. An interdepartmental committee is also preparing proposals concerning victim compensation and shared liability.
The420 Insight: The figures underline the continuing financial impact of digital arrest fraud. Faster reporting, coordinated investigations and timely restoration of funds remain central to protecting victims and limiting further losses.
Follow for daily updates on cybercrime, corporate fraud, DFIR, hacking, investigations, and digital forensics
