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A New Face of Cybercrime: Digital Arrest Through Fear and Impersonation In a disturbing instance of cyber-enabled fraud, a Delhi-based doctor couple was allegedly kept under what investigators describe as “digital arrest” for over two weeks and duped of nearly ₹14.85 crore by fraudsters impersonating officials from law enforcement agencies. The case exposes how fear of arrest, misuse of national security rhetoric, and impersonation of authorities are being deployed to psychologically restrain victims and extract large sums of money without physical confinement. Timeline of the Alleged Fraud According to Delhi Police, the fraud occurred between December 24 and January 9 , during which the accused maintained continuous contact with the victims through phone and video calls. An e-FIR was registered on Saturday , and the Cyber Crime Unit of Delhi Police has launched a full-scale investigation to trace the bank accounts and individuals involved. How the ‘Digital Arrest’ Began Victim In...

Introduction: A New Age Threat to Personal Liberty The Supreme Court of India has taken serious note of the alarming rise of “digital arrest” scams , a sophisticated form of cyber fraud that exploits fear, authority, and technological vulnerabilities. In a strong intervention, the Court directed the Union Government to immediately consider systemic measures to prevent such scams, flag suspicious financial transactions, and protect citizens—especially senior citizens—from digital extortion. The observations were made by a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi , highlighting the constitutional and institutional duty of the State to safeguard citizens from cyber-enabled crimes. What Are ‘Digital Arrest’ Scams? Digital arrest scams involve criminal impersonation of law enforcement agencies, intelligence officials, or even judges , wherein victims are coerced into believing that they are under arrest or investigation. Fraudsters often: Use forged co...