Digital Arrest Fraud: Supreme Court Flags Alarming Vulnerability of Educated Senior Citizens
Introduction The Supreme Court of India has expressed serious concern over the alarming rise of so-called “digital arrest” frauds, particularly highlighting how even highly educated and experienced senior citizens are falling prey to sophisticated cyber scams. The court’s observations came while issuing notice on a petition filed by a 78-year-old former banker who lost more than ₹23 crore after being impersonated and coerced by fraudsters posing as law enforcement officials. The case underscores systemic vulnerabilities in banking safeguards, cybercrime response mechanisms, and public awareness, prompting the apex court to intensify its scrutiny of institutional accountability. Background of the Case The observations arose from a petition filed by Naresh Malhotra , a 78-year-old former banker, who was allegedly defrauded in September last year in what is being described as the largest reported “digital arrest” fraud in India so far , involving losses exceeding ₹23 crore. Malhotra claim...