MHA Leads Nationwide Offensive Against Digital Arrest Cyber Fraud Networks

The Ministry of Home Affairs is broadening its fight against digital arrest scams that target seniors in major Indian cities. Fraudsters impersonate police, the CBI and TRAI to induce fear, coercing victims to transfer funds. Authorities urge verification, warn against phone or video call interrogations, and coordinate with banks to trace transfers.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has intensified its nationwide crackdown oncyber fraud networks after a sharp rise in so-called "digital arrest" scamsthat have trapped senior citizens across major Indian cities, leading tomassive financial losses running into crores.

According to officials, fraudsters are impersonating agencies such as theDelhi Police, CBI and TRAI, using video calls, fake uniforms andofficial-looking backgrounds to create fear and force victims intoisolation. This is followed by coercing victims into transferring theirhard-earned money to accounts controlled by the fraudsters' network, whilefalsely claiming that the accounts belong to the RBI or some otherlegitimate agency. The MHA has directed state police and cybercrime units totreat digital arrest cases as organised financial crimes and to accelerateinvestigations and money-tracing efforts.

One such case was reported from Gwalior, where a 75-year-old retiredgovernment officer was kept under a fake digital arrest for nearly a monthand cheated of Rs 1.12 crore. The victim was initially warned that hisAadhaar-linked mobile number would be blocked and was later told he wasunder investigation for money laundering. Posing as senior police and CBIofficials, the fraudsters convinced him to liquidate mutual fund investmentsand transfer funds for so-called verification.

A similar but larger case emerged from south Delhi, where an elderly doctorcouple was allegedly confined to their home for over two weeks and forced totransfer close to Rs 15 crore. The fraudsters, posing as TRAI and policeofficials, claimed the couple was linked to black money transactions andused repeated video calls, legal threats and fake documents to maintainpressure until the fraud was uncovered at a local police station.

The MHA has warned that no law enforcement agency interrogates citizensthrough phone call or video call or seeks money-transfers for investigationpurposes. Officials stressed that government agencies do not conductinquiries through WhatsApp or demand financial verification through RTGS orsimilar channels. I4C-MHA has also directed banks to Check remain vigilantand ensure that, particularly in the case of senior citizens, any large RTGStransfers from savings accounts are made only after proper verification.

Citizens have been urged to verify any such calls with local police, avoidsharing personal or banking details, and immediately report suspiciouscommunication to the national cybercrime "and Report suspect" section onwww.cybercrime.gov.in . The Home Ministrysaid enhanced coordination with banks, telecom firms and cybercrime units isunderway to dismantle these fraud networks and prevent further cases.