This page sets out, in general terms, how digital arrest scams works under Indian law.
What a 'digital arrest' scam is, why it is not a real legal process, and the Supreme Court directions issued since October 2025.
The legal position
Typically, a 'digital arrest' is not a recognised legal process in India. No police officer, court, or enforcement agency can arrest or detain a person over a video call.
The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of digital arrest scams on 17 Oct 2025, after an Ambala couple lost ₹1.05 crore to forged Supreme Court and Enforcement Directorate orders.
On 1 Dec 2025, the Supreme Court directed a pan-India CBI probe, including into bankers who opened mule accounts used in such frauds.
On 9 Feb 2026, the Supreme Court described the scale of losses (reported at ₹54,000 crore) as 'robbery or dacoity' and directed the Centre to frame a standard operating procedure and compensation framework.
On 4 Aug 2026, the Supreme Court directed the RBI to issue a debit-hold SOP, and states to run the MHA's grievance (GRM) and money-restoration (MRM) modules and adopt e-Zero FIR.
How this generally works
In practice, the steps generally run as follows.
If you receive such a call
End the call. No genuine agency conducts an arrest, detention, or 'investigation' over video call or demands money to avoid one.
Report immediately
Call the national cyber helpline 1930 or report at cybercrime.gov.in as soon as possible — speed matters for freezing any transferred funds.
Preserve evidence
Keep screenshots, call recordings if available, and transaction records before reporting.
Common pitfalls
A few points are easy to get wrong.
- Believing that cooperating or paying will 'close' a fabricated case — these scams rely on panic, not any real legal process.
- Deleting messages or screenshots before reporting, which removes evidence that helps trace the fraud.
- Waiting beyond the reporting window before contacting your bank — see our page on reporting timelines and liability for why speed affects your legal position.
For related reading, see Bank Account Freezes in Cyber Fraud Cases: An Unsettled Area, Reporting Cyber Fraud: Timelines and Your Liability, and Where to Report Cyber Fraud: Portals, Helplines, and e-Zero FIR.
If this touches a situation you are dealing with, you are welcome to discuss it in a consultation.
This overview is general information, not legal advice. Procedures and local practice can differ, so a specific review of your matter is advisable before acting.
This page provides general information about the law in India and is not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, please consult a qualified advocate.