Digital Arrest Scam: How It Works and How to Stay Safe

A digital arrest scam is a cyber fraud where criminals pretend to be police, CBI, customs or ED officers on a video call and tell the victim they are under “digital arrest” for a crime. They keep the person on camera for hours and force them to transfer money to “clear their name”. No Indian law allows any agency to arrest someone online.

The government has issued repeated warnings about this fraud, and the Supreme Court has taken it up. This guide explains how the scam works, the warning signs, and what to do if you or someone in your family gets such a call.

How the digital arrest scam works

The script varies, but most cases follow a similar pattern. Knowing it is the best protection.

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1. The first call: The victim gets a call claiming to be from a courier company, a telecom regulator, a bank or the police. The caller says a parcel in the victim’s name contains drugs or fake passports, or that their Aadhaar or mobile number has been used for money laundering.
2. The transfer to an “officer”: The call is passed to someone posing as a senior police, CBI or narcotics officer. Many switch to a video call on WhatsApp or Skype, sometimes from a set that looks like a police station, with uniforms and official logos.
3. The arrest: The victim is told they are under “digital arrest” and must stay on camera. They are told not to speak to family or anyone else, as that would be “obstructing the investigation”.
4. The payment: The fake officers ask the victim to move savings into a “safe” or “verification” account, promising a refund once they are cleared. The money is quickly moved through several mule accounts.

The calls often use spoofed numbers that look Indian, though they may come from abroad. Fake documents with court or agency seals are sent over WhatsApp to make the threat look real.

How big the problem is

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha in March 2025, Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar said Indians lost Rs 1,935.51 crore to digital arrest scams in 2024, as reported by Inc42. The same reply said the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) had blocked more than 3,962 Skype IDs and 83,668 WhatsApp accounts used for such frauds.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the scam in his Mann Ki Baat address in October 2024 and urged people to follow three steps: stop, think and take action. In December 2025, the Supreme Court directed the CBI to investigate digital arrest cases across the country, according to multiple news reports.

Warning signs of a digital arrest scam

• A caller says you will be arrested over a video call, or that you are under “digital” or “online” arrest.
• You are told not to disconnect, not to tell family, and to stay in a closed room.
• The caller asks you to transfer money, buy gift cards, or share OTPs, bank details or Aadhaar details for “verification”.
• Documents such as arrest warrants or court orders arrive on WhatsApp instead of through official channels.
• There is extreme urgency, with threats of immediate jail or freezing of all accounts.

What real agencies do and do not do

Scammers say	The reality
You are under digital arrest	No law in India allows arrest over a video call
Pay money to clear your name	No agency collects money to close an investigation
Do not tell anyone	You always have the right to speak to family and a lawyer
Join a video call for questioning	Notices are served in writing and questioning happens in person

The I4C, which works under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has stated clearly that the CBI, police, customs, ED and judges do not arrest people through video calls.

What to do if you get such a call

1. Disconnect. You are not legally bound to stay on the call. End it at once.
2. Do not pay or share details. Never transfer money, share OTPs or install any app the caller suggests.
3. Talk to someone you trust. Tell a family member or friend. Scammers depend on keeping victims isolated.
4. Verify independently. If you are worried, call your local police station using a number from an official website, not the number the caller gives you.
5. Report the number. Use the Chakshu facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal to report suspected fraud calls and messages.

If you have already paid

Speed matters. Call the national cyber crime helpline 1930 or file a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in immediately. These are linked to the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System, which alerts banks to hold the money before it is moved further.

The government told Parliament in March 2025 that this system had saved more than Rs 4,386 crore across over 13.36 lakh complaints. Also inform your bank, keep screenshots of chats, call logs and transaction IDs, and file a police complaint.

Protecting older family members

Senior citizens and retired professionals are frequent targets because they often have savings and may trust callers who claim authority. Sit with your parents and grandparents and explain the scam in simple words. Tell them one clear rule: no real officer will ever ask them to stay on a video call or send money.

Save 1930 in their phones, and ask them to call you before acting on any call that mentions police, courts or money laundering. Read more practical safety guides in our technology section and money tips in our finance section.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: ETV Bharat, March 2025; Inc42, March 2025; MediaNama, December 2025; National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.