Apex Court Opens Suo Motu Case Over Digital Arrest Frauds
The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to all States and Union Territories in relation to a suo motu proceeding concerning a rising number of digital-arrest scams, in which victims are duped via fake court orders, impersonation of police or judicial officers, and coerced money transfers.
The action followed a letter from a senior-citizen couple in Haryana who were defrauded under this modus operandi.
Court Indicates Willingness to Entrust CBI With Investigations
During the hearing, the bench consisting of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi noted that there are multiple incidents across various parts of the country, and expressed that these scams may operate pan-India, or even internationally.
Offshore Money-Laundering and Trafficking Networks Highlighted
The Attorney General of India, R. Venkataramani, informed the Court that the money-laundering networks linked to these scams often operate outside India, including in parts of Asia such as Myanmar and Thailand.
The Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, acting for the Union of India, noted how victims are sometimes lured abroad under false job promises, then forced to generate online funds with passports seized, effectively making them human subordinates in a global racket.
CBI’s Capability and Technical Resources Called Into Focus
Justice Kant asked the Centre and the CBI to detail whether they possess the human and technical resources to tackle the rising number of digital-arrest cases, should they be transferred.
Solicitor General Mehta responded that the CBI is being assisted by the Cyber Crime Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which provides specialised technical expertise.
States Ordered to Submit Data On FIRs and Pending Cases
The Court directed all States and Union Territories to furnish details of FIRs registered within their jurisdictions in connection with digital-arrest scams.
In particular, it asked for disclosures of incidents involving forged judicial orders, impersonation of law enforcement officers, and cross-border money-laundering components.
Case no. – SMW (Crl.) 3/2025
Case title – In Re: Victims of Digital Arrest Related to Forged Documents
