Digital Arrest Scams: How They Work and What the Supreme Court Has Directed: Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a general overview of common questions on digital arrest scams under Indian law.

Before the frequently asked questions

As a general rule, 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.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'digital arrest' a real legal procedure in India?

No. There is no such thing as an arrest conducted over a video call. It is a fraud technique that imitates the appearance of a police or court proceeding to pressure victims into transferring money.

What has the Supreme Court done about digital arrest scams?

Since taking suo motu cognizance in October 2025, the Supreme Court has directed a pan-India CBI probe (Dec 2025), called for an SOP and compensation framework (Feb 2026), and directed the RBI and states to implement debit-hold procedures, grievance portals, and e-Zero FIR (Aug 2026).

For a fuller explanation, 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.

The content above explains how the law generally works; it is not legal advice and should not be treated as a substitute for advice on your particular facts.