How to spot a “digital arrest” scam

How the scam works

A “digital arrest” is a frightening act put on by scammers. It often goes like this:

1. A call about a problem. A courier says a parcel in your name was caught with drugs or fake passports, or “TRAI” says your number is linked to illegal activity.
2. You are “transferred to the police”. A person in uniform appears on a video call, sometimes in what looks like a police station, and shows you an “arrest warrant” or letters with official logos.
3. You are told you are under arrest at home. You must stay on the call, not tell anyone, and not hang up, sometimes for hours or days.
4. They ask for money “for verification”. You are told to move your savings to a “safe” or “RBI verification” account until the case is cleared. The money is gone the moment you send it.

The facts

• There is no “digital arrest” in Indian law. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has warned that police, CBI, ED and customs do not arrest people through video calls.
• No real agency asks you to transfer money to prove your innocence or to “verify” your account.
• Real notices come in writing and you can check them yourself at your local police station, with your own lawyer, or through the agency’s official contact details.
• Being told to keep it secret is the biggest sign of all. Scammers isolate you because your family would spot the trick.

What to do

1. Hang up. You are not under arrest. Ending the call is not a crime.
2. Don’t share your screen or install any app they suggest, and don’t share OTPs or bank details.
3. Tell someone you trust right away. Scammers depend on you staying alone and scared.
4. Report the call at sancharsaathi.gov.in (Chakshu) so the number can be looked into.
5. If you sent money, call 1930 or report at cybercrime.gov.in immediately. See what to do in the first hour.

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