Digital Arrest Scams and Existing Legal Remedies

In 2024, a prominent industrialist reportedly lost ₹7 crore after cybercriminals posing as CBI officers convinced him that he was under investigation for money laundering. For nearly two days, he remained under constant video surveillance, believing he was in the custody of law enforcement officials. In reality, he was the victim of a “digital arrest” scam. Similar incidents have affected retired professionals, senior citizens, and even highly educated individuals across India. The scam succeeds not because victims are careless, but because fraudsters exploit fear, authority, and unfamiliarity with legal procedures.