The Supreme Court of India on Monday (October 27) said it is actively considering transferring the investigation of the alarming rise in ‘digital arrest’ scams across the country to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The bench, comprising Justices Suryakant and Joymalya Bagchi, said it would first seek the views of state governments before taking a final decision on handing over the probe.
The apex court has issued notices to all states and union territories, directing them to submit details of FIRs registered in connection with such scams by November 3, 2025, the date of the next hearing.
‘Scam Compounds’ Operating from Myanmar and Thailand
Appearing for the Union government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that several cybercrime syndicates involved in digital arrest scams are being operated from foreign territories like Myanmar and Thailand. These groups, Mehta explained, often lure Indian citizens abroad with promises of jobs, only to force them into online fraud operations under coercive conditions.
“Some people are lured abroad with promises of jobs, and there they are forced to commit online fraud to earn money. These areas are called scam compounds, where people are made to work like human slaves,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court.
According to Mehta, these cross-border cybercrime hubs pose serious challenges for Indian law enforcement agencies, both in terms of jurisdiction and coordination with international policing bodies.
Trigger Case: Ambala Couple Defrauded of Rs 1.05 Crore
The court’s intervention follows a shocking case in Ambala, Haryana, where an elderly couple was defrauded of Rs 1.05 crore by cybercriminals posing as officials from the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The scammers allegedly displayed fake court orders and forged agency documents over video calls to intimidate the couple into transferring their life savings. The victims, fearing arrest and legal action, complied. The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the case after reports revealed the extent of psychological manipulation and the use of counterfeit judicial seals and documents.
CBI Asked to Prepare Action Plan
The Supreme Court noted that the CBI is already investigating multiple cybercrime cases, and directed the agency to submit its readiness plan for handling the digital arrest investigations on a national scale. The bench questioned whether the CBI currently possesses adequate technical infrastructure, manpower, and cyber-forensic capacity to manage such widespread and sophisticated crimes.
During its earlier hearing on October 17, the court observed that forging court names, seals, and orders constitutes a “direct assault on the justice delivery system.”
The Haryana government and Ambala Cyber Crime Unit have also been directed to submit detailed status reports on the case. The bench stressed that the menace of digital arrests is not restricted to one region but is spreading rapidly nationwide, warranting joint efforts by central and state authorities.
Delhi Records Rs 1,100 Crore Cyber Frauds in 2024
Recent data presented by the Delhi Police highlight the scale of cyber fraud in the country. In 2024 alone, citizens in the national capital lost around Rs 1,100 crore to online scams, including investment frauds, “digital arrests,” and “boss scams.”
In 2025, the estimated losses remained at about Rs 1,000 crore, though the police managed to freeze 20% of stolen funds, double the recovery rate from the previous year. Officials attributed the improvement to faster reporting and coordination through the 1930 National Helpline for Cyber Fraud.
Inside the ‘Digital Arrest’ Modus Operandi
Investigators say the “digital arrest” scam typically begins with a phone or video call from a person claiming to be a police officer or CBI/ED official. The caller accuses the target of being involved in a fictitious case, such as money laundering, drug trafficking, or courier fraud.
Victims are then coerced into transferring money under the guise of “verifying accounts” or “avoiding arrest”. In several cases, the scammers display fake IDs, government logos, and even courtroom-like backgrounds during calls, making the deception appear authentic.
The targets are often retired professionals, elderly citizens, or educated individuals, suggesting that the fraudsters specifically prey on those likely to comply out of fear or respect for law enforcement.
Fake Courts, Forged Orders, and Psychological Control
One of the more alarming aspects of the scam is the use of fake court setups during video calls. Fraudsters sometimes stage mock proceedings using counterfeit seals and documents to convince victims that a legal case is underway against them.
These digital impersonations are so sophisticated that they have successfully deceived well-educated individuals, former bureaucrats, and retired judges. The Supreme Court expressed deep concern over this trend, warning that such fabricated judicial representations undermine the credibility of the justice system itself.
Police Urge Citizens to Act Swiftly
The Delhi Police’s Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit has been working closely with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Home Ministry to track these digital networks.
DCP Vineet Kumar, who heads the IFSO unit, urged citizens to act immediately upon receiving suspicious calls.
“People should call the 1930 helpline the moment they sense a fraud attempt. Early reporting is crucial because it allows banks and agencies to freeze accounts and recover stolen funds,” Kumar said.
The police have also strengthened 24-hour helplines and online portals to simplify the complaint process. Officials say that every minute counts, delayed reporting drastically reduces the chance of recovering defrauded money.
A Growing National Concern
Enforcement agencies in multiple states, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, have reported similar cases in recent months. Many involve foreign-registered VoIP numbers, cryptocurrency transactions, and shell accounts created under fake identities.
Experts warn that these scams are part of a larger transnational cybercrime network, often linked to human trafficking and forced labour. The so-called “scam compounds” in Southeast Asia have emerged as operational hubs for online fraud targeting Indian citizens.
Nationwide Coordination
With the November 3 deadline approaching, all state police chiefs and cybercrime units are expected to compile comprehensive data on ongoing cases, registered FIRs, and pending investigations.
The CBI, meanwhile, has been directed to assess its readiness to take over a unified probe into digital arrests, potentially making it the nodal agency for cybercrime investigations in the country.
The Supreme Court’s intervention could pave the way for a centralised cybercrime investigation framework, improving coordination between agencies, standardising procedures, and enabling cross-border collaboration.
If the probe is handed to the CBI, it would mark India’s first unified national investigation into digital arrest scams, a landmark step toward combating an increasingly digital and borderless form of crime.
As Justice Suryakant noted during the hearing, “When technology is used to imitate the very symbols of justice, it becomes not just a crime of fraud, but a crime against faith in the justice system itself.”
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