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'Digital arrest' scam: Delhi woman loses ₹13cr
03 Apr 2026

A 77-year-old retired woman from Delhi lost over ₹13 crore in a 'digital arrest' scam. The con artists impersonated police officials and a judge via a WhatsApp video call.

Such scams are on the rise across India, mainly targeting financially stable but less informed citizens.

The victims are isolated from their friends and family and coerced into transferring money.

There is no such thing as a 'digital arrest'
Legal clarification

Sanjeev Jain, a former Principal District and Sessions Judge in Delhi, has clarified that there is no such thing as a 'digital arrest' under Indian law.

He emphasized that any arrest must follow due process, including proper identification and documentation.

Jain also warned citizens to stay alert and report such scams to the police or cyber authorities immediately.

How the scam works
Scam details

The victim of this scam was duped by fraudsters posing as police officials. They told her that she was involved in a complex money laundering case.

Over 16 days, she was traumatized and coerced into 'virtual court' proceedings.

The con artists even staged a fake police station act and scripted court sessions to make their threats seem real.

Here are some tips to protect yourself from scams
Safety tips

Here are some ways you can protect yourself from such scams:

Verify independently: If faced with a 'digital arrest' threat, don't panic and verify independently.

Avoid urgent money transfers: Law enforcement officials never ask for immediate payments.

Talk to family or friends: Fraudsters rely on isolating their victims, so always keep your loved ones in the loop if you're facing threats of 'digital arrest.'

More tips to safeguard yourself from scams
Additional precautions

Protect sensitive info: Safeguard confidential data such as OTPs, CVVs, ATM PINs, and internet banking credentials.

Be wary of staged setups: Fake uniforms, ID cards, flags, and courts are common tricks used by fraudsters.

Use banking safeguards: Set transaction alerts and daily limits on your accounts to prevent unauthorized transactions.