CBI probe into digital arrest fraud

The Supreme Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the cases related to digital arrest fraud. The apex court has given the CBI complete freedom to investigate whether banks in the country are also knowingly or unknowingly supporting such frauds. Until now, these cases were investigated by state cyber police units and other state police departments. However, their investigations had major limitations. The fraud networks operate across multiple states, and arresting the accused often required coordination with police in several regions.

Though many people have been arrested, the process was complicated, time-consuming, and difficult. Several leading cyber experts had earlier stated that such cases should ideally be investigated by national agencies. The Supreme Court’s latest directive has now made that possible. Previous investigations have clearly shown that bank accounts are widely misused to carry out fraud through fake “digital arrests.” In this context, the Supreme Court has given the CBI full freedom to investigate whether banks are knowingly cooperating with these scams. The court has also permitted the CBI to seek help from Interpol if needed.

Money obtained through digital arrest scams is often transferred to foreign countries. The top leaders of these fraud networks operate from outside India, making it difficult to catch them. The CBI may now need to investigate across borders and state boundaries. Chief Justice Surya Kant also said that social media platforms must cooperate with the investigating agencies. The court has asked the Reserve Bank of India to assist in tracing accounts used by these fraud groups and to freeze illegal funds. Even though authorities have repeatedly clarified that “digital arrest” is not real, many people, including well-educated individuals, continue to fall victim to this scam.

Fraudsters first collect information about illegal financial transactions, then threaten victims, forcing them to pay. They even conduct fake “video court hearings” to pressure the victims further. The court also expressed concern over multiple SIM cards being issued under the same name. It has instructed the Telecom Ministry to present its officials during the next hearing. The Supreme Court took up this issue on its own after receiving a complaint from a 73-year-old woman from Ambala, Haryana. According to her, scammers created a fake order in the name of former Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and cheated her of Rs 1 crore. The court also noted that the CBI should consider forming a specialised cyber unit with advanced training to handle such cases.