Digital Arrest

Published on 28 Mar 2025

•  The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has set up a high-level committee to investigate digital arrest scams and cyber fraud.
• Digital arrest refers to a deceptive tactic used by cybercriminals, who falsely claim to have the authority to arrest an individual through digital means, often over the phone or via online communication.
•  Importantly, while people falling prey to these scams lost crores of rupees, there is no legal provision for such “digital arrests” in India.
• The Union Home Ministry runs a social media channel, “Cyber Dost,” to alert the public about fraud tactics.
• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) advises reporting cyber crimes via the 1930 helpline or www.cybercrime.gov.in.
• PM Modi has urged citizens to follow the “Stop, Think, and Take Action” mantra.

Keywords:

Cyber crime Cyber security Digital arrest I4C Intelligence agencies