Digital Arrest Scam in India: How It Works and What to Do

By Advocate Ganta Surya Kiran | 19 Law Chambers, Visakhapatnam | Cyber Crime

“Digital arrest” where fraudsters impersonating CBI, ED, Narcotics Bureau, or police officers threaten victims with immediate arrest unless they pay large sums of money is one of the fastest growing cyber crimes in India. Furthermore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi specifically warned citizens about digital arrest scams in his Mann Ki Baat address in October 2024. Moreover, victims across Visakhapatnam have lost crores to this specific fraud. Consequently, understanding exactly how this scam works — and knowing that no legitimate law enforcement agency ever operates this way — is your best protection. Advocate Ganta Surya Kiran at 19 Law Chambers guides victims through every legal remedy.

How the Digital Arrest Scam Works — Step by Step

Step 1 — The Initial Call You receive a call from someone claiming to be from: TRAI (claiming your SIM is being misused for illegal activities), a courier company (claiming a package in your name contains drugs or illegal items), or directly from “CBI,” “Narcotics Bureau,” or “Delhi Police” (claiming you are under investigation for money laundering, drug trafficking, or a financial crime). Furthermore, the caller may know your name, approximate location, and partial identity details making the call feel convincingly real.

Step 2 — The Escalation The caller “transfers” you to a more senior “officer” who speaks more authoritatively. Moreover, you are shown fake ID cards, fake arrest warrants, and “evidence” of your supposed involvement in a crime — through video calls on WhatsApp or Skype. Consequently, the professional presentation and apparent documentation convinces many victims that the threat is genuine.

Step 3 — The “Digital Arrest” The fraudster declares you are under “digital arrest” demanding that you stay on the video call for hours or days, not contact anyone, and remain in a specific location. Importantly, “digital arrest” has no legal existence in India whatsoever. Moreover, no Indian law enforcement agency has any power or procedure called “digital arrest.” Consequently, any call claiming to digitally arrest you is definitively fraudulent — 100% of the time.

Step 4 — The Money Demand After keeping you in fear for hours the fraudster demands a large payment for “bail,” “verification fee,” or “clearing your name.” Furthermore, they demand payment through crypto, wire transfer, or gift cards methods that are difficult to trace and reverse. Consequently, victims who pay often receive demands for additional payments before eventually realising the fraud.

How to Immediately Identify a Digital Arrest Scam

These facts eliminate all doubt — specifically, every one of these points is true 100% of the time:

“Digital arrest” does not exist in Indian law. CBI, ED, police, and Narcotics Bureau have no power to arrest anyone digitally or through a phone or video call. Legitimate agencies never ask for money. No government agency ever demands payment to prevent arrest or clear your name. Legitimate agencies never use WhatsApp for official communications. All official communications happen through registered post, in-person visits, or court-issued summons. You can always verify through official channels. Call 100 (police) or the actual CBI or ED helplines to verify any supposed investigation — before paying anything. Consequently, if you receive any call threatening arrest and demanding payment it is definitively a fraud. Hang up immediately.

What to Do If You Are Being Targeted

If the Call is Ongoing: Hang up immediately there is no obligation to stay on the call. Furthermore, call 100 (police) immediately and report the scam call. Moreover, call a family member or Advocate Ganta Surya Kiran at +91 99495 92127 to talk through what happened. Consequently, breaking the fraudster’s control of your attention is the most important first step.

If You Have Already Paid: Call 1930 (National Cyber Crime Financial Helpline) immediately request freezing of the recipient’s account. Furthermore, report at cybercrime.gov.in. Moreover, file a police FIR at the Cyber Crime Police Station, Visakhapatnam. Consequently, swift reporting immediately after payment gives the best recovery chances. Read: Online Fraud Complaint India.

If You Shared Personal Information: The fraudsters may use your Aadhaar number, bank account details, or other information for additional fraud. Specifically, alert your bank immediately request enhanced monitoring and change your internet banking passwords. Furthermore, file a complaint with the bank and at cybercrime.gov.in for possible identity theft. Read: Credit Card Fraud Dispute India.

Protecting Elderly Family Members — They Are Primary Targets

Digital arrest fraudsters specifically target elderly citizens who may be less familiar with technology and more susceptible to authority figures. Specifically, warn your parents and grandparents: no government agency ever calls demanding money, “digital arrest” does not exist in any Indian law, and they should always call you before responding to any threatening phone call. Furthermore, install a simple rule in your family: before paying any money to anyone claiming to be from any government agency call a family member first. Consequently, this simple rule has prevented countless families from losing their savings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: A caller said my Aadhaar number is linked to a bank account used for drug trafficking. What should I do?
Hang up immediately. Specifically, your Aadhaar being “linked” to any criminal activity through someone else’s misuse is not your liability and CBI or police would never investigate this through a phone call. Furthermore, if you are genuinely concerned file an RTI application to UIDAI about your Aadhaar usage, and check your Aadhaar login history at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in. Consequently, the call is definitively a scam regardless of how convincing it seemed.

Q: The “officer” showed me an arrest warrant with my name on it. Is this possible?
Fraudsters create fake arrest warrants easily using PDF editing software. Specifically, legitimate arrest warrants are issued by courts — not by CBI or ED directly and are physically served by officers who identify themselves in person. Furthermore, no court ever sends warrants through WhatsApp video calls. Consequently, any “warrant” shown on a video call is definitively a forgery. Report at cybercrime.gov.in.

Q: I paid Rs 5 lakh to the “officers.” Now they are asking for more. What should I do?
Stop all payments immediately. Furthermore, call 1930 immediately and report at cybercrime.gov.in. Moreover, file an FIR at the Cyber Crime Police Station, Visakhapatnam. Importantly, do not pay any more money under any circumstances — each additional payment emboldens fraudsters. Free legal aid: NALSA — nalsa.gov.in.

Also read: Online Investment Fraud India | Fake Job Offer Fraud India | Best Cyber Crime Lawyers Vizag

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