CBI investigation into pan-India digital arrest scam network

CBI chargesheeted 33 accused in a cyber fraud case involving a Delhi executive defrauded of Rs 50 lakh. The scheme used fake 'digital arrest' claims to extort money. The accused include proprietors of dummy firms, technical handlers, and money mules who routed funds.

The Enforcement Directorate uncovered a pan-India organised network of cyber fraudsters operating digital arrest scams, affecting over 330 victims and resulting in losses exceeding Rs 400 crore. The network is subject to over 163 FIRs across 20 states and Union Territories.

The Supreme Court registered a suo motu case in October 2025 after a senior citizen couple from Haryana reported being defrauded of Rs 1.5 crore in a digital arrest scam. The Court issued 13-point directions to combat such scams nationwide, recognizing this as a widespread issue affecting multiple states and directing RBI, banks, and state authorities to implement urgent SOPs and cybercrime coordination mechanisms.