The suo motu cognisance taken by the Supreme Court in the case of the “digital arrest” of an elderly Ambala couple has once again exposed a disturbing and fast-expanding criminal enterprise that exploits citizens’ fear of law enforcement agencies. This shocking incident is not an isolated case-it is symptomatic of a dangerous trend that threatens not only individuals but also the very foundations of the rule of law. Over the past years, numerous reports have surfaced across the country about victims being “digitally arrested”-a chilling term that reflects the criminals’ ability to manipulate technology and psychological fear. The modus operandi is alarmingly consistent. The scammers identify financially stable targets, often elderly or retired individuals, and then weave a web of fear so convincing that victims surrender their life savings. Calls are made from spoofed numbers displaying official identities-CBI, ED, Income Tax Department, or even local police stations. Fake judicial or investigative documents bearing forged signatures and seals are shared via email or messaging apps. Some fraudsters even conduct video calls from fake office backdrops to lend authenticity to the deception. In many cases, the narrative is terrifyingly persuasive. Victims are told that their accounts are linked to money laundering or that their relatives are involved in criminal acts like drug trafficking or sexual assault. In one pattern, scammers claim that the victim’s son has been detained in a “rape case” and that urgent “bail” or “settlement” money must be paid to avoid arrest. The use of fear-especially fear of legal action, arrest under PMLA, or summons by ED-has become the criminals’ strongest weapon.
The question that now demands an answer is: how are these criminals operating so freely and fearlessly? For such complex and coordinated scams to thrive, there must exist a sophisticated network-comprising fake call centres, document forgers, money mules, and perhaps even insiders providing access to confidential data. The impersonation of central investigative agencies and even the forging of Supreme Court orders suggest that these operations are not run by amateurs but by highly organised cyber syndicates, possibly operating across states or even internationally. Equally worrying is the apparent lack of deterrence. Despite the rising number of such incidents, there is little clarity on how many of these criminals have been caught and brought to justice. The slow pace of investigation and prosecution emboldens these fraudsters. When victims rarely see justice, and culprits operate with impunity, the deterrent effect of the law weakens dangerously.
What makes these crimes particularly insidious is that they erode public trust in legal and investigative institutions. The Government, therefore, cannot treat this as just another category of cybercrime. It demands a coordinated national response. The Centre, state cybercrime units, and the CBI must work together to create a special task force to stop digital impersonation and arrest scams. There should be a central registry of these kinds of cases, and banks and other financial institutions should be told to quickly freeze accounts that are flagged for suspicious transfers in these situations. Moreover, public awareness campaigns are vital-citizens must be educated that no law enforcement agency demands money over the phone, nor do courts ever communicate orders through WhatsApp or video calls. The role of technology platforms also comes under scrutiny. To stop the abuse of digital identities, telecom companies and social media sites need to improve their systems for verifying callers and tracking them. Equally, investigative agencies must adopt advanced digital forensics and cross-border cooperation to dismantle these networks.
The Supreme Court’s intervention is timely and necessary. But the onus now lies on the Government to act swiftly and decisively. Each passing day without accountability emboldens more fraudsters to exploit the digital ecosystem. The “fear of law” must be restored-not in the minds of the innocent, but in those who are systematically attacking the very symbols of law and justice. The digital arrest phenomenon is more than a cybercrime-it is a national threat to the rule of law, public trust, and judicial integrity. The Government’s response must be as strong and coordinated as the criminals’ deceit is sophisticated.
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