The Supreme Court has taken suo motu action against the rising Rs 3,000-crore Digital Arrest scam, where cybercriminals pose as law enforcement officers. Justice Surya Kant warned that the Court will issue strict directions to curb the menace.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognisance of the alarming rise in “digital arrest” scams, warning that such cyber frauds are spreading rapidly across the country and have already cost Indian citizens nearly ₹3,000 crore.
A Bench led by Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi is hearing the matter, which involves fraudsters impersonating law enforcement and judicial officials to extort money from unsuspecting citizens via phone and video calls.
During the hearing, Justice Surya Kant called the situation “alarming” and said the Court would issue strong and strict directions to curb the menace.
“It’s alarming that nearly ₹3,000 crore has been collected from victims — and this is only in our country. Unless we pass firm orders, the problem will worsen,”
Justice Kant remarked.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Court that a dedicated unit in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is already coordinating efforts with law enforcement agencies and that several measures are underway.
Both the MHA and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) submitted sealed reports to the Court, which have been taken on record. The matter will be heard again next Monday.
Earlier in the Court
During the October 27 hearing, Attorney General R. Venkataramani informed the Bench that the digital arrest scams are being run by transnational criminal syndicates.
“These are money laundering gangs operating beyond our borders, notably out of Myanmar and Thailand,” he said.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta further explained that these scams have a three-layered structure, financial, technical, and human. Young Indians are allegedly lured abroad with fake job offers, have their passports seized, and are forced to run call-centre-style cyber fraud operations.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi added that following a crackdown in Myanmar, these groups shifted operations to Thailand, urging the Centre to ensure the CBI has adequate capacity to investigate all related cases.
The Supreme Court has directed:
- All States and Union Territories to furnish details of FIRs registered in connection with digital arrest scams.
- The State of Haryana is to submit a comprehensive list of cases within one week.
- The CBI is to assess its ability to coordinate and investigate cases nationwide.
The Bench clarified that no formal counter-affidavits were required; only case details should be submitted for central coordination.
Justice Surya Kant emphasized the need for an “all-India coordinated response” to dismantle the scam networks:
“Nothing concrete can be done unless this is addressed on a national scale. If the CBI has any shortcomings, let the Court know.”
Background of the Case
The Supreme Court’s intervention began after a senior citizen couple from Ambala, Haryana, was defrauded of ₹1.5 crore between September 1 and 16, 2025.
Fraudsters posing as ED and CBI officials sent them fake Supreme Court orders via WhatsApp and video calls, claiming that their bank accounts were under investigation. Two FIRs were filed at the Ambala Cyber Crime Branch, uncovering a larger interstate and international network.
Justice Surya Kant noted that the forgery of judicial documents struck at “the very foundation of public confidence” in the justice system.
“The fabrication of judicial orders bearing forged signatures of judges is a direct assault on the dignity of the institution,”
the Court observed.
What Are ‘Digital Arrest’ Scams?
Digital arrest scams are a new form of cyber extortion, where criminals pose as officers from agencies such as the CBI, ED, or judiciary, using video calls, WhatsApp messages, and fake documents to trap victims.
They often:
- Forge court orders and official seals;
- Claim victims are under investigation;
- Threaten immediate arrest or asset seizure;
- Demand money transfers to “settle” fake cases.
These scams have targeted senior citizens, professionals, and women, exploiting fear and misinformation.
Case Title:
In Re: Victims of Digital Arrest Related to Forged Documents
SMW (Crl.) No. 3/2025
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