The Supreme Court raised concern over educated seniors falling prey to fraud, remarking, “We are shocked at how people are behaving. When such calls come, you simply accept their dictation. Generally, with age, you learn and gain experience.
The Supreme Court expressed alarm regarding the rising incidence of “digital arrest fraud”, highlighting that even educated and experienced senior citizens are falling victim to the manipulations of fraudsters.
The bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, stated,
“We are shocked at how people are behaving. When this kind of call comes, you are simply accepting their dictation. Generally, with age, you learn so much and you gain experience also,”
These remarks were made while addressing a petition filed by 78-year-old former banker Naresh Malhotra, who became a victim of a “digital arrest” scam in September last year, resulting in a loss exceeding Rs.23 croremthe highest amount reported in such cases to date.
The petition requests that banks implement safeguards against such scams, including alerts for suspicious high-value transactions, among other forms of relief.
These matters are already being examined in a suo motu case currently before the Supreme Court.
After reviewing the situation, the bench commented,
“We feel so disappointed how a person can lose their sense on getting such calls.”
The court subsequently associated Malhotra’s request with the ongoing suo motu proceedings, which were initiated following a letter from a senior couple who reportedly lost over Rs.1 crore to imposters claiming to be enforcement officials.
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The court had noted that retired senior citizens are increasingly becoming targets and losing their lifetime savings.
In the suo motu case, the Supreme Court has already directed that all related digital fraud cases be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Additionally, the government has established a high-powered committee aimed at enhancing coordination among police, banks, telecom companies, and social media platforms to combat such fraud.
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