MHA Leads Nationwide Offensive Against Digital Arrest Cyber Fraud Networks

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

According to officials, fraudsters are impersonating agencies such as the Delhi Police, CBI and TRAI, using video calls, fake uniforms and official-looking backgrounds to create fear and force victims into isolation. This is followed by coercing victims into transferring their hard-earned money to accounts controlled by the fraudsters' network, while falsely claiming that the accounts belong to the RBI or some other legitimate agency. The MHA has directed state police and cybercrime units to treat digital arrest cases as organised financial crimes and to accelerate investigations and money-tracing efforts.

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

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

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

Citizens have been urged to verify any such calls with local police, avoid sharing personal or banking details, and immediately report suspicious communication to the national cybercrime "and Report suspect" section on www.cybercrime.gov.in. The Home Ministry said enhanced coordination with banks, telecom firms and cybercrime units is underway to dismantle these fraud networks and prevent further cases.