Supreme Court suo motu case — Digital arrest scams targeting elderly citizens

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 CBI conducted coordinated searches at 80 locations across 16 states and Union Territories as part of a crackdown on cybercriminal networks involved in digital arrest scams. Two arrests were made during the operation. The investigation targets organized fraud schemes that have victimized hundreds of people across India.

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.