Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued a warning about a rising online scam referred to as “digital arrest.” Victims have reportedly lost millions of rupees to fraudsters who contact them via video calls, impersonating police or tax officials and making false accusations.
The scammers instruct their victims to remain at home under the guise of a “digital arrest,” advising them not to reach out to anyone. Modi emphasized that digital arrest is not recognized in Indian law and that legitimate enforcement agencies would never request personal information through phone or video calls.
“The fraudsters pretend to be police, Central Bureau of Investigation agents, narcotics officials, and sometimes even central bank representatives,” Modi explained. They often appear on-screen in a studio designed to look like a police station or tax office, wearing official uniforms and showing fake identification.
These scammers typically claim that the victim is involved in illegal activities, such as sending parcels with drugs, or that their phone is linked to criminal acts. Reports have surfaced of deepfake videos and fraudulent arrest warrants being used as part of the scam.
Instances of these digital arrests are becoming increasingly common. In August, Bengaluru police apprehended several individuals after a victim was reportedly defrauded of over 20 million rupees ($237,000; £183,000). The fraudsters claimed that a parcel addressed to the victim contained MDMA and had been seized, threatening legal action unless the victim paid to resolve the supposed issue.
This month, actress Maala Parvathi, known for her work in Malayalam films, also fell victim to this scam. She reported that scammers, posing as Mumbai police officers with fake IDs, accused her of smuggling drugs to Taiwan and virtually arrested her for questioning. Fortunately, she realized it was a scam before any money changed hands.
In his national warning, Modi urged citizens to take three key steps to protect themselves:
“First, stay calm and don’t panic. If possible, record the call or take a screenshot,” he advised.
“Second, remember that no legitimate government agency will threaten you online.
“Third, take action by contacting the national cyber helpline and informing the police about the incident.”
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