LawLoveLegal

Introduction The Supreme Court of India has taken a firm stance against the rising menace of digital arrest scams — a new-age cybercrime in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials and extort money from citizens. The Court, while hearing a suo motu case initiated on the basis of a complaint by an elderly couple from Ambala, declared that such crimes must be dealt with an “iron hand.” The case underscores India’s growing vulnerability to sophisticated cyber-frauds exploiting digital communication platforms and the urgent need for coordinated national and international efforts to curb such offences. The Background: Rise of Digital Arrest Frauds The suo motu proceedings were initiated by the Supreme Court on October 17, 2024 , after receiving a letter from an elderly couple who lost over ₹1 crore in a scam where fraudsters pretended to be police officers and “digitally arrested” them through video calls. The scammers used fabricated visuals of courtrooms and fake offi...

Introduction The Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognizance of the alarming rise in “digital arrest” scams , a new-age cybercrime where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement or judicial authorities to extort money from unsuspecting victims. Recognizing the seriousness of the issue, the apex court has sought detailed information from all states and union territories (UTs) within one week on pending investigations related to such cases. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi has also indicated the possibility of assigning the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to undertake a nationwide probe, given the cross-border nature and complexity of these crimes. Understanding the ‘Digital Arrest’ Phenomenon The term “digital arrest” refers to a sophisticated cybercrime method where perpetrators impersonate police officers, CBI officials, or judges , often using forged court orders , fake video calls , and fabricated legal documents to deceive victims. ...