The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe pan-India digital arrest scam cases. The court asked the States, including opposition-ruled West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, to accord assent to CBI for probing digital arrest cases. The SC also issued noticed to the RBI, asking why AI or machine learning tech not employed to freeze bank accounts used in cyber fraud cases.
The apex court also directed the central agency to take help from Interpol to reach out to cyber criminals operating from offshore tax haven countries.
SC’s instructions to telecom dept, states, centre
In a mass direction to multiple stakeholders, the top court asked the department of telecom to ensure that telecos don’t provide multiple SIM cards to one user which may be used in cyber crimes. It also asked States, union territories and their police agencies to connect with the CBI and feel free to freeze bank accounts used in defrauding citizens.
“Ensure views of various union ministries, including MHA, DOT, Finance, are apprised to deal with cyber crimes,” the SC asked Solicitor General.
It also directed the authorities in the states to setup regional and state cyber crime coordination centres to deal with such online offences.
The SC said that bank officials who are hand in-glove with fraudsters to dupe citizens, must be probed thoroughly.
Mumbai police tightens noose on cyber attackers
Amid an increase in the cases of digital arrest scams, the Mumbai police have launched a proactive outreach program. The government earlier told the Parliament that the digital arrest scams have risen 21-times between 2022 and 2024. Cases of “digital arrest” have also soared across Mumbai, particularly among elderly citizens living alone. In order to protect the seniors from falling for such scams, the
According to Mumbai Police, between January and October 2025, 142 cases of digital arrest fraud were reported, with cybercriminals siphoning off Rs 114 crore. Officials say the majority of victims were elderly residents living alone who were intimidated and threatened into secrecy by the impersonators.
