Supreme Court seeks nationwide data on digital arrest scams, mulls CBI probe

The Supreme Court on Monday said it is inclined to hand over the investigation of digital arrest cases to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), taking into account the magnitude and pan-India spread of these crimes. The top court also issued notices to all states and union territories, directing them to submit details of FIRs registered in connection with such scams.

A bench comprising justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi made the observation while hearing a suo motu case initiated after an elderly woman was defrauded by cybercriminals. The matter has been posted for further hearing on November 3.

The court noted the submissions of solicitor general Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the CBI and informed the bench that many of these cyber and digital arrest frauds have their origin in offshore locations such as Myanmar and Thailand. The apex court then directed the agency to come up with a clear plan for investigating such cases, stating, “We will monitor the progress of the CBI investigation and issue whatever directions are necessary.”

The bench also asked the CBI to clarify whether it requires additional resources, including independent cyber experts, to effectively handle the nationwide probe. It emphasised that digital arrest frauds are not ordinary crimes but a complex, organised operation that demands coordinated efforts between central and state police agencies to uncover the full network of offenders.

The court took note of a shocking incident in Haryana’s Ambala, where fraudsters used forged court and probe agency documents to digitally arrest a senior citizen couple and extort ₹1.05 crore. Such cases, the bench observed, strike at the very foundation of public trust in the justice system.

How the scam works In digital arrest scams, fraudsters pose as police or government officials, claiming that the victim’s name is linked to a criminal case or money laundering. They force victims into video calls that mimic police interrogations, often isolating them from family members and coercing them to transfer large sums of money as “bail” or “security deposits.” Reports of such incidents have surfaced from Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and several other cities.

Tech platforms strengthen safety measures

Amid the growing threat, major platforms like Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, have introduced several features to protect users. These include security alerts for suspicious activity, message filtering and hidden words to block scam content, report and block options for impersonation accounts, and end-to-end encryption on WhatsApp to ensure chat privacy. Meta has also partnered with cybercrime units to conduct digital awareness campaigns aimed at educating users about online scams.

Awareness remains the key While technology offers important safeguards, experts stress that public awareness is still the strongest defence. Officials advise citizens to verify any legal threat or payment demand by contacting official helplines or local police before responding.

The Supreme Court’s next hearing on November 3 will review responses from states, union territories, and the CBI before taking a final call on formally entrusting all digital arrest investigations to the national agency.