WhatsApp Banned 9,400 Accounts Linked to ‘Digital Arrest’ Scams, Centre Tells Supreme Court

The Centre informed the Supreme Court that WhatsApp has banned around 9,400 accounts linked to “digital arrest” scams since January 2026 as part of a coordinated crackdown on cyber fraud.

The disclosure was made in a status report filed by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) during hearings concerning scams involving fraudsters impersonating police officers, investigating agencies, and courts to extort money from victims.

The report highlighted coordinated efforts involving the RBI, telecom authorities, CBI, and technology platforms to combat such crimes.

The Supreme Court has been closely monitoring preventive and enforcement measures aimed at curbing the growing menace of online financial frauds.

[Naresh Malhotra v. UOI & Ors.]