You get a call from someone who says they are from the police, CBI or customs. They say a parcel in your name has drugs in it, or that your Aadhaar is linked to a crime. Then they move you to a video call, show you a “police station” and tell you that you are now under digital arrest. You must stay on camera and pay money to “clear your name”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is not a real arrest. It is one of the biggest phone scams in India right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This guide explains what digital arrest is, how the scam works step by step, the warning signs to watch for and exactly what to do if you or someone in your family gets such a call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Digital arrest is a cyber fraud, not a legal process. Fraudsters pretend to be officers from the police, CBI, Narcotics, RBI, Enforcement Directorate or other agencies. They scare the victim with a fake case, keep them on a video call for hours or days, and force them to transfer money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the 115th episode of Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister said that “there is no system like digital arrest in the law” (PIB<\/a>). No real investigative agency questions people or asks for money over a phone or video call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you get such a call: cut the call, do not pay, and report it on the cyber crime helpline 1930 or at cybercrime.gov.in<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a public alert about this scam in May 2024. According to the MHA alert<\/a>, the scam usually follows this pattern:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fraudster calls and says one of these things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n They tell you that a case has been filed against you. Some even send fake documents, warrants or ID cards. They use the names of real agencies to sound believable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The victim is asked to join a video call on Skype or another app and stay visible on camera until the “investigation” ends. MHA says the fraudsters use studios made to look like police stations and government offices, and they wear uniforms to look real.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To “settle the case” or “verify” the victim’s money, they ask for a transfer to an account they control. The victim is told not to tell anyone, not even family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n MHA calls this an organised online economic crime, often run by cross-border crime syndicates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Mann Ki Baat on 27 October 2024, the Prime Minister explained the three “moves” these gangs use (PIB<\/a>):<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you know these three tricks, the scam becomes much easier to spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If a call has even one of these signs, treat it as a scam:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The government’s advice comes down to three steps: Stop, Think, Take Action (PIB<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are two different places to report, and each one is for a different situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow the Digital Arrest Scam Works<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: The scary first call<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Step 2: The fake “case”<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 3: The video call “arrest”<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 4: The demand for money<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The 3 Tricks Scammers Use<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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7 Warning Signs of a Digital Arrest Scam<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What to Do If You Get a Digital Arrest Call<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Stop<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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2. Think<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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3. Take Action<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Where to Report: 1930 or Chakshu?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n