Supreme Court Flags ₹3,000-Crore ‘Digital Arrest’ Fraud Menace

The Supreme Court expressed grave concern over the growing menace of “digital arrest” scams, noting that victims across India, particularly the elderly, have lost over ₹3,000 crore.

Referring to a confidential Union Government report, a Bench led by Justice Surya Kant termed the fraud a “very big challenge” warranting strict judicial intervention.

The Court said it would issue stringent directions to empower investigating agencies. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta confirmed that such scams, often run by cross-border syndicates using forged judicial and police orders, had expanded beyond expectations.

The case arose from a suo motu cognisance of a digital extortion incident in Haryana.

[In Re: Digital Arrest Scam, 2025]