Supreme Court Flags Digital Arrest Scams

Supreme Court Flags Digital Arrest Scams: CBI Probe on the Cards, States Asked to Share FIR Details

Apex court takes suo motu action as cyber frauds spread across India

Fake police calls and digital extortion raise alarm over public safety and trust

By Our Legal Correspondent

New Delhi: October 27, 2025: The Supreme Court of India has stepped in to address the growing menace of “digital arrest” scams, a new form of cyber fraud that has spread rapidly across the country. On October 27, 2025, a bench led by Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said it was considering handing over the investigation of these scams to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), given their nationwide scale and cross-border links.

The court directed all states and Union Territories to submit details of First Information Reports (FIRs) registered in connection with such scams. The matter will be heard again on November 3, 2025, when the court is expected to decide whether the CBI should take over the probe.

What Are Digital Arrest Scams?

Digital arrest scams are a sophisticated form of cybercrime where fraudsters impersonate police officers, government officials, or even court authorities. Victims are told that they are under investigation for crimes such as money laundering, drug trafficking, or financial fraud.

The fraudsters often use fake video calls, showing doctored images of police stations or courtrooms.
Victims are threatened with immediate “digital arrest” unless they pay money to settle the case.
Payments are usually demanded through online transfers, cryptocurrency, or digital wallets.

These scams have already claimed thousands of victims across India, with many losing their life savings.

Supreme Court’s Concerns

The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the issue after reports of multiple cases, including one in Haryana’s Ambala where an elderly woman was defrauded.

Key observations from the bench:

The scams are pan-India in nature and cannot be effectively tackled by state police alone.
Many cases appear to have international links, with fraudsters operating from overseas call centres.
The volume of cases is overwhelming, and a coordinated national response is required.
The CBI, with support from the Ministry of Home Affairs’ cybercrime division, may be better equipped to handle the probe.

Justice Bagchi noted, “The problem is volume. We have seen this in Ponzi cases. A centralised investigation may be the only way forward.”

States Asked to Submit FIR Details

The court has directed all states and Union Territories to provide:

The number of complaints received about digital arrest scams.
FIRs registered so far.
The status of ongoing investigations.
Steps taken to raise public awareness and prevent such frauds.

This data will help the court assess the scale of the problem and decide whether to transfer all cases to the CBI.

Why a CBI Probe Matters

The Supreme Court’s suggestion to involve the CBI is significant for several reasons:

National coordination: Cyber frauds often cross state boundaries, making it difficult for local police to track culprits.
International links: Many scams are believed to originate from countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, and China, requiring international cooperation.
Expertise: The CBI, with support from the cybercrime division of the Ministry of Home Affairs, has more resources and technical expertise.
Public trust: A central probe could reassure citizens that the government is taking strong action against fraudsters.

Rising Cases Across India

Reports suggest that thousands of Indians have fallen victim to digital arrest scams in the past two years.

Victims include professionals, students, and elderly citizens.
Losses range from a few thousand rupees to several crores.
Many victims are too embarrassed to report the crime, leading to underreporting.

In one case, a Bengaluru-based IT professional was tricked into paying ₹15 lakh after being told he was linked to a drug trafficking case. In another, a Delhi businessman lost ₹40 lakh after fraudsters posed as CBI officers.

Government’s Response

The Union government, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, informed the court that the CBI is already investigating some cases. He added that the agency is taking assistance from the cybercrime division of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

However, the Solicitor General admitted that the sheer volume of cases is a challenge. The court has asked the CBI to prepare a comprehensive plan to deal with the scams, including manpower and technical requirements.

Public Safety and Awareness

Experts say that while law enforcement is crucial, public awareness is equally important.

Citizens should be educated about how these scams work.
People must be told that no police officer or court ever demands money online.
Banks and telecom companies should work with authorities to block suspicious transactions and numbers.

The Supreme Court has also hinted that it may direct the government to launch a nationwide awareness campaign.

Expert Opinions

Cybersecurity experts say digital arrest scams are part of a larger trend of online frauds exploiting fear and authority.
Legal experts believe the Supreme Court’s intervention is timely, as fragmented state-level probes would not be effective.
Public policy analysts argue that India needs stronger international cooperation to tackle cybercrime originating abroad.

Challenges Ahead

Even if the CBI takes over, several challenges remain:

Jurisdiction issues: Many fraudsters operate from outside India, making arrests difficult.
Technology gap: Scammers use advanced tools like deepfakes and encrypted apps.
Victim support: Many victims face financial ruin and need counselling and legal aid.
Coordination: Effective collaboration between central agencies, state police, banks, and telecom operators is essential.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s decision to consider a CBI probe into digital arrest scams marks a turning point in India’s fight against cybercrime. By demanding FIR details from states and highlighting the nationwide scale of the fraud, the court has signalled that piecemeal efforts will not work.

For millions of Indians, the outcome of the November 3 hearing will be crucial. A strong, coordinated response could not only bring fraudsters to justice but also restore public trust in digital systems.