The digital arrest scam: there is no such thing
No agency ever arrests you over a video call
A digital arrest scam is a phone or video call from someone pretending to be the police, the CBI or customs, who says you are mixed up in a crime and must stay on the call while they question you. There is no such thing as a digital arrest. No real agency ever arrests you over a video call. The whole thing is built to scare you into paying.
How the trick works. It usually starts with a call saying your Aadhaar, PAN or a parcel in your name is linked to money laundering or drugs. They switch to a video call, show fake ID cards and uniforms, and keep you “under digital arrest”, alone and talking to no one else, while they frighten you into transferring money or sharing details to “prove your innocence”.
The one fact that breaks the scam. Agencies do not arrest people over a video call. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre has said clearly that the CBI, police, customs, ED and courts never do this. The moment someone claims a “digital arrest”, you know it is fake.
The red flags. A caller who says your Aadhaar or PAN is in a crime, keeps you on video, demands total secrecy, and asks for money or an OTP to “verify” you. Any one of these is a scam sign. Together, they are certain.
Want the bigger picture? See how scammers target UPI users, and keep the one rule in mind: your UPI PIN never receives money.
This is general education, not legal advice. Scam tactics change and official guidance can be updated, so confirm the current process on cybercrime.gov.in and report fraud on 1930.
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Cut the call
Hang up. No real officer keeps you on a video call for hours or says you are under arrest online. Staying on the call is what lets them pressure you, so end it.
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Share nothing, pay nothing
Never share your Aadhaar, PAN, OTP or bank details, and never transfer money to 'verify your innocence' or pay a 'fine'. No agency works this way.
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Verify on your own
If you are unsure, contact the real office yourself using a number from its official website, or call the police on 112. Do not use any number the caller gives you.
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Report it fast
Call 1930, the national cyber fraud helpline, and file on cybercrime.gov.in. If you already paid, report at once; the first hour gives the best chance to freeze the money.
Questions people ask
What is a digital arrest scam?
A call, often a video call, from someone pretending to be the police, CBI, customs or ED. They claim your Aadhaar, PAN or a parcel is linked to a crime, keep you on the call, and scare you into paying money to avoid arrest. It is entirely fake.
Can the police really arrest you over a video call?
No. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre has said agencies like the CBI, police, customs, ED and courts do not arrest anyone over a video call. There is no legal process called digital arrest, so any such call is a scam.
What do these scammers ask for?
They demand secrecy, keep you on the line, and ask you to transfer money or share Aadhaar, PAN, OTP or bank details to prove your innocence or pay a fine. Real agencies never ask for this.
What should I do if I get such a call?
Cut the call. Do not share any detail or pay anything. Verify independently by contacting the real office or calling 112. Then report on 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in.
I already paid. Can I get my money back?
Act fast. Call 1930 and file on cybercrime.gov.in immediately. Reporting in the first hour gives your bank the best chance to freeze the money before it is withdrawn.
Source: Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) advisories and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in). Confirm current guidance there.