As Haryana confronts a surge in cyber-enabled fraud—from job-placement rackets in Southeast Asia to “digital arrest” scams at home—the state police and judicial authorities have moved to rewire an often slow relief system. A new mechanism routed through Lok Adalats promises quicker restoration of blocked funds, even as officials warn residents to stay vigilant amid evolving forms of exploitation.
A Growing Crisis Spanning Borders
When Indian nationals began returning from cyber-fraud compounds in Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia this year, many of the victims were young men from Haryana—lured by job offers that promised quick earnings but led instead to digital exploitation and confinement. Their stories, relayed through families and officials, underscored the expanding reach of transnational cybercrime networks that traffic not only in stolen money but also in coerced labor.
As repatriation efforts continue, the Haryana Police issued a sweeping advisory urging families to immediately verify the safety of relatives working abroad. “Before accepting any overseas job offer, thoroughly verify the offer, company, and recruitment agent,” the advisory said, warning residents to stay alert to the growing web of fraudulent employment solicitations emerging from Southeast Asia’s shadow markets.
This renewed warning came just as the state began encountering a different wave of cyber deception at home—scammers posing as government agencies, threatening victims with nonexistent “digital arrests” to extort payments.
Debunking the Fear of ‘Digital Arrest’
In recent months, Haryana’s cyber helpline has fielded a rising number of panic calls from residents who believed they were moments away from being digitally detained—a term invented by fraudsters to sow fear. Director General of Police O.P. Singh sought to dismantle the myth forcefully.
“There is no such thing as a ‘digital arrest.’ It is totally absurd,” he said. The fraud typically begins with a call purporting to be from a law-enforcement agency, accusing the victim of a fabricated crime and demanding money for an “urgent investigation.”
His advice to recipients was blunt:
“If anybody receives such calls, they should first hurl a hundred abuses at the caller. Then immediately report the matter to the cybercrime helpline 1930.”
Behind the direct language lies a serious concern. Officials say scammers exploit fear and confusion to force victims into quick transfers—often within minutes. The Haryana government has since deployed cyber-commandos to detect and disrupt these networks, but the need for rapid public reporting remains crucial.
A New Pathway for Getting Blocked Money Back
One of the most persistent challenges for cyber-fraud victims has been recovering money that has been frozen by banks after a complaint is filed. Until now, accessing those funds required navigating a lengthy court process—sometimes stretching for months—even when the stolen money had been successfully blocked.
Understanding this gap, the Haryana Police proposed a new system that would allow victims to reclaim blocked funds without a full trial. The Department of Administration of Justice approved the mechanism this week.
Under the new model, victims can apply directly to the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) using a simple form. After the investigating officer assists in preparing documents, the DLSA forwards the application to the Permanent Lok Adalat, which issues a refund order—often within a week. Once the order is delivered electronically to the concerned bank, the blocked amount is released to the victim’s account.
The process does not require hiring a lawyer, and it applies specifically to cases where no FIR has been registered but the money has already been frozen.
“This arrangement has been made especially for cases where the money was blocked immediately after the complaint was filed,” a police spokesperson said.
By classifying such cases as Pre-Litigation Cases, authorities expect a significant acceleration in the justice pipeline.
Officials Urge Quick Reporting During the ‘Golden Hour’
The new refund mechanism, officials say, is only as effective as the speed with which victims report fraud. The police emphasize the crucial “Golden Hour”—the first few minutes after a fraudulent transfer—when banks and cybercrime units can still intercept the money flow.
“Together, we have ensured that victims get quick relief and justice,” DGP Singh said, urging citizens to call 1930 immediately after discovering fraud. Fast reporting, he added, is the difference between recovering money and losing it forever.
Behind the assertive messaging is a recognition that cybercrime has outpaced traditional administrative systems. Haryana’s reforms reflect a growing national need: mechanisms that combine speed, coordination, and public awareness in the face of increasingly sophisticated digital threats.
As the state warns residents against fraudulent job offers abroad and dismantles the mythology of “digital arrest,” its new model of refund through Lok Adalats may become a template for other states grappling with similar cases—linking law enforcement and legal authorities in a bid to keep pace with fast-moving cybercriminals.
