Pune, October 30, 2025 – A retired government officer in Maharashtra tragically died of suspected shock after losing his life's savings of ₹1.19 crore (1.2 crore) in a "digital arrest" fraud. The 82-year-old man's 80-year-old wife informed the Pune cyber police that her husband had been brooding over the loss for days before collapsing.
This incident highlights the growing menace of "digital arrest" scams, a sophisticated form of cybercrime where victims are coerced into believing they are under legal scrutiny by law enforcement agencies. Fraudsters often impersonate police officers, CBI agents, or other government officials. They contact victims via phone or video call, fabricating charges related to money laundering or narcotics. Victims are then pressured to remain on video calls for extended periods, sometimes days, while scammers display doctored summons or court orders.
These scams often involve elaborate impersonation schemes, utilizing forged judicial documents and fake video proceedings to convince victims of the legitimacy of the threat. Victims are pressured to transfer funds to various accounts to avoid arrest and asset seizure. The "digital arrest" term stems from the fact that victims are held "hostage through a screen," fearing repercussions if they disconnect.
The Supreme Court of India has taken cognizance of the rise in "digital arrest" scams, directing all states and Union territories to submit details of related investigations. The court's intervention followed a case where a 73-year-old woman was defrauded of ₹1 crore through a forged Supreme Court order. The court expressed strong disapproval of the misuse of its name and authority, recognizing the scams as a threat to public trust in the judicial system.
Recent investigations have revealed the involvement of international cybercriminal networks in these scams. Cybercriminals from China are reportedly hiring unemployed youth from India and neighboring countries to defraud people through digital arrest scams. These syndicates often operate from countries like Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos, using sophisticated setups to mimic government agencies. They lure individuals with promises of good jobs abroad, confiscate their passports, and then use them to target victims in their home countries. Agents associated with these gangs send young people abroad and provide them with details about people in those countries, including bank accounts and SIM cards.
The Delhi Police recently cracked a "digital arrest" fraud case involving ₹23 crore, revealing that the racket was being run from Cambodia. The fraudsters allegedly used NGOs to move the money, luring individuals with promises of a cut in exchange for sharing their bank account details. In Mumbai, the Maharashtra Cyber police arrested several individuals in connection with a scam where a 72-year-old resident was duped of ₹58.13 crore. The scammers posed as officials from TRAI and the Mumbai Crime Branch, conducting a fake court proceeding over a video call to coerce the victim into transferring funds.
Authorities are urging citizens to exercise caution and be wary of unsolicited calls or messages from individuals claiming to be law enforcement officials. It is crucial to verify the identity of the caller and to avoid sharing personal or financial information. If contacted by someone claiming to be a police officer or government agent, it is advised to report the incident to the cybercrime helpline immediately. The CBI, assisted by the MHA's cyber division, is working to combat these scams, but coordinated action at the national level is needed to effectively address this growing threat.
