Cyber Fraud and Digital Arrest Scams

Recently, rising cases of “digital arrest” scams prompted the Union Government to constitute an Inter-Ministerial Committee in December 2025.

• Digital arrest is a cyber-fraud where criminals impersonate officials and coerce victims into transferring money through intimidation.
• Fraudsters pose as officials from agencies like CBI, RBI, police, or narcotics departments using spoofed identities.
• Victims are falsely accused of crimes and kept under continuous video surveillance to induce psychological pressure.
• Techniques include caller ID spoofing, deepfake videos, fake warrants, and simulated court or police environments.
• Fraudsters isolate victims, prevent external communication, and demand payments through untraceable channels like cryptocurrency or gift cards.
• Identification of “money mules” is crucial, ....