Concerned that Well-Educated Citizens Falling Prey to Digital Arrest Scams: CJI Surya Kant

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant expressed concern over the rising "digital arrest" scams where fraudsters impersonate authorities to extort money.

During a hearing, the CJI shared a distressing account of a retired official who lost her entire life savings to such a fraud.

The Supreme Court is currently hearing a suo motu case on the matter, which has seen nearly ₹3,000 crore swindled nationwide. Amicus Curiae N.S. Nappinai suggested that intermediaries develop a "kill-switch" to freeze suspicious transactions, as victims often panic during these calls.

The Court has directed the government to finalize a Standard Operating Procedure to combat these cybercrimes.