The Supreme Court of India takes suo motu action against rising digital arrest scams, where fraudsters use fake court orders to target senior citizens.
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NEW DELHI: In a decisive move, the Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognisance of the alarming rise in “digital arrest” scams, a sophisticated type of cybercrime where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement or judicial authorities to intimidate citizens into paying money.
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What Are Digital Arrest Scams?
Digital arrest scams involve cybercriminals posing as officials from the CBI, IB, ED, or the judiciary, using video calls, phone calls, and WhatsApp messages to create a sense of legal urgency. Victims are coerced into transferring money under the false belief that they face criminal charges.
The scams often feature:
- Forged court orders with fake signatures of judges.
- False claims of investigation by law enforcement.
- High-pressure tactics threatening immediate arrest.
Supreme Court Action
The Court’s suo motu intervention followed a complaint by a senior citizen couple from Ambala, Haryana. Between September 1 and 16, 2025, they were defrauded of ₹1.5 crore by fraudsters impersonating officials and displaying fake Supreme Court orders via WhatsApp and video calls.
Two FIRs registered at the Ambala Cyber Crime Branch revealed an organized network targeting senior citizens.
Supreme Court’s Observations
The Bench, comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, expressed grave concern:
“Ordinarily, we would have directed the state police to expedite the investigation and take it to the logical conclusion. We are, however, aghast that the fraudsters have fabricated multiple judicial orders in the name of the Supreme Court of India, including a freeze order dated 1st September, purportedly issued under the PMLA, bearing forged signatures of a judge, an officer of ED, and a court stamp also.”
The Court also noted:
“The fabrication of judicial orders bearing forged signatures of judges strikes at the very foundation of public confidence in the judicial system. It is a direct assault on the dignity of the institution and cannot be treated as an ordinary offence of cheating or cybercrime.”
Furthermore, the Bench highlighted that similar scams have surfaced nationwide, stressing the need for a coordinated national response:
“Such grave criminal acts cannot be treated as an orderly or routine offence of cheating or cybercrime. Stern action is required on a pan-India basis with coordinated efforts of the Central and State police.”
Court Orders and Actions
In response to the issue, the Supreme Court issued notices to:
- Union of India, through the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), through its Director
- Government of Haryana, Principal Secretary (Home)
- Cyber Crime Department, Ambala, Superintendent of Police
Additionally, the Court sought the assistance of the Attorney General of India and directed the Haryana Cyber Crime police in Ambala to file a status report on the investigation.
Case Title:
In Re: Victims of Digital Arrest Related to Forged Documents
SMW (Crl.) No. 3/2025
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