NEEDS CONTEXT
"Digital arrest" is not a real legal concept - there is no such thing in Indian law. Scammers impersonate police, CBI, and customs officers on video calls, claiming victims are under "digital arrest" for alleged crimes like money laundering. Indians lost over Rs 11,333 crore to cyber fraud in 2024. PM Modi warned the nation about these scams in Mann Ki Baat, advising: "Stop, Think, Take Action."
The "digital arrest" scam emerged as India's most damaging fraud trend in 2024-2025. Scammers call victims claiming to be from CBI, customs, or police, alleging their Aadhaar has been linked to crimes like money laundering or drug trafficking. Victims are kept on video calls for hours or days, told they are under "digital arrest," and pressured to transfer money to "clear their name." PM Modi addressed the epidemic in his October 2024 Mann Ki Baat, making clear: "No government agency will ever contact you via video call and threaten arrest." The Ministry of Home Affairs has blocked thousands of Skype IDs used by scammers operating from Southeast Asian crime syndicates.
How the Scam Works
Victims receive calls claiming their Aadhaar is linked to money laundering, drugs, or other crimes. They're transferred to fake "CBI officers" on video call [5].
Scammers show fake IDs and court documents, telling victims they're under "digital arrest" and cannot end the call or contact anyone [7].
The Reality
"Digital arrest" is not a real legal concept. No Indian law permits arrest via video call. Real police will issue written summons and appear in person [3].
No government agency - CBI, customs, police - will ever demand money transfers over video call to "clear your name" [1].
PM Modi's Warning
In October 2024's Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi addressed the epidemic directly: "There is no such thing as digital arrest. No investigation agency will ever contact you like this" [1].
He advised a three-step response: "Stop - Don't panic. Think - No agency works like this. Take Action - Report to 1930" [6].
Scale of the Problem
Indians lost over Rs 11,333 crore to cyber fraud in 2024, with digital arrest scams being a major component [6].
Victims include doctors, professors, retired officials - educated professionals who are psychologically manipulated [8].
Protection Advice
Never transfer money based on calls claiming to be from government agencies. End suspicious calls immediately [2].
Report suspicious calls to the National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930 or at cybercrime.gov.in [2].