Digital Arrest: How to Spot the Scam and Protect Your Savings

An NRI doctor couple in Delhi was digitally arrested for 15 days in early 2026, losing nearly ₹15 crore. Similarly, a senior citizen couple in Haryana was defrauded of over ₹1 crore, a case so alarming that it led the Supreme Court to take suo motu (on its own motion) cognisance of the issue in 2025.

We often see such headlines, but what exactly is a digital arrest? How do people lose their life savings without even stepping out of their homes?

A digital arrest is a fake arrest where scammers pose as police or CBI officers over video calls (like WhatsApp or Skype). They scare you by claiming you’re involved in a crime, such as illegal drug parcels or money laundering. They force you to stay on camera for hours or sometimes days to isolate you from help, eventually demanding money to clear your name.

In India alone, over 123,000 cases of digital arrest were reported in 2024, leading to a staggering financial loss of nearly ₹2,000 crore.

In this week’s edition, we will break down what a Digital Arrest is and which laws govern it. 

What is a Digital Arrest?

Digital Arrest is a psychological virtual cage where fraudsters use video conferencing platforms (like WhatsApp, Skype, or Zoom) to put the victims under custody. 

It is a form of cyber extortion where scammers pretend to be law enforcement officers (from the CBI, ED, Narcotics Bureau, or Police) to convince victims they are under arrest through a video call.

A digital arrest can last for hours or even days. The victim is forced to stay on camera 24/7, effectively placing them under house arrest through digital surveillance and fear. They order you to stay on the video call and stop you from speaking to family or friends, claiming the case is a matter of national security. This isolation prevents you from seeking help. The only way out is to transfer a large sum of money to a government-authorised account for verification or bail, promising it will be refunded once your name is cleared. Once the transfer is made, the fake officers disappear.

Laws Governing Digital Arrest

Digital arrest is not a legitimate legal action and has no specific governing law. Agencies use a cocktail of sections from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology (IT) Act, and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to prosecute these criminals.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)

• Section 319 (Cheating by Personation): This is the main law used to catch these scammers. It punishes anyone who lies and pretends to be an official, like a police officer or a CBI agent. If caught, the criminal can face up to 5 years in jail.
• Section 318 (Cheating): Used when the scammer dishonestly induces the victim to transfer money.
• Section 308 (Extortion): Since a digital arrest works by scaring you into thinking your reputation or safety is at risk just to get your money, this law is used to punish the scammers. If found guilty, they can face jail time of up to 7 years.
• Section 204 & 205 (Impersonating a Public Servant): Specifically targets the act of wearing a uniform or carrying tokens (like fake IDs shown on camera) to deceive the public.
• Section 111 (Organised Crime): In late 2025, the Supreme Court suggested using this section for digital arrest syndicates, as they operate as mafias across state and national borders.

Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000

The IT Act handles the cyber aspect of the crime.

• Section 66C (Identity Theft): Applies when scammers use fake digital signatures, Aadhaar details, or spoofed official IDs.
• Section 66D (Punishment for Cheating by Personation using Computer Resource): This is the sister section to BNS 319, specifically covering personation over communication devices like WhatsApp, Skype, or Zoom.
• Section 66F (Cyber Terrorism): In extreme cases where the scam threatens national security or uses deepfakes of high-ranking officials (like the Chief Justice or Home Minister), this section can be invoked, carrying a potential life sentence.

Supreme Court Directives

Following a surge in cases, the Supreme Court took note and issued these new legal mandates:

• CBI Jurisdiction: The CBI has been granted a free hand to investigate digital arrest cases nationwide without needing individual state permission for every case.
• The Kill Switch Policy: The Ministry of Home Affairs is currently finalising a law (expected mid-2026) that mandates banks to provide a Kill Switch on mobile apps to instantly freeze all funds if a user realises they are being digitally arrested.
• Liability of Platforms: Under the IT Rules 2021, platforms like WhatsApp and Skype are now legally obligated to provide tracing data for accounts involved in digital arrests within 24–72 hours of a police request.

How can you protect yourself?

With an increase in such crimes, it is important to understand that protecting yourself from a digital arrest starts with one simple truth: real officers will never arrest or interrogate you over a video call. 

If you receive a high-pressure call accusing you of a crime, keep the following things in mind: 

• do not panic
• hang up
• block the number 
• talk to your family or a trusted friend immediately
• never share your bank details or transfer money to anyone promising to clear your name online. 
• If you are targeted, report it instantly by calling the national helpline at 1930 or visiting cybercrime.gov.in. 

By staying calm and informed, you can turn off the scammer’s power with a single click.