Stay safe › Scams
Digital arrest scam
Fake police, CBI or ED officers on a video call say you're under arrest and must pay. There is no such thing.
How it works
A caller says a parcel in your name was caught with drugs, or your Aadhaar or SIM was used for money laundering. You’re moved to a video call with someone in uniform, sometimes in a room that looks like a police station. They tell you that you’re under “digital arrest”: you must stay on camera, tell no one, and transfer money to “verify” it or clear your name. Some victims are kept on calls for hours or even days.
A real warning
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Home Ministry, has warned that police, CBI, ED, customs and judges do not arrest people over video calls. In December 2025 the Supreme Court ordered the CBI to lead a nationwide probe into these scams. Read our news post: There is no ‘digital arrest’.
If it has already happened
- Cut the call. Real officers never arrest anyone on a video call or ask for money to close a case.
- Tell a family member right away. Scammers rely on you staying alone and scared.
- If you paid anything, call 1930 immediately and give the transaction details.
- Report the number on Chakshu, and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in.
Protect yourself
- Know the rule: police, CBI, ED, customs and courts do not arrest people over video calls.
- Never move money to an account someone gives you on a call, whatever reason they give.
- Don't stay on a call with someone who is threatening you. Hang up and check with your local police station yourself.
Say it simply
Agree that anyone who gets a scary call from "officers" will hang up and call a family member before doing anything.
If someone in uniform on a video call says you're under arrest, it's a scam. Hang up and call your son, daughter or the local police station.
Live through it safely. "The parcel call"Play the story →
Where to report
- Cybercrime helpline 1930Money has been taken or a payment was tricked out of you. Call at once: the sooner, the better the chance of freezing it.Call 1930
- National Cyber Crime Reporting PortalFile a complaint about any cyber fraud, harassment, sextortion or morphed images.cybercrime.gov.in
- Chakshu, on Sanchar SaathiReport a suspected fraud call, SMS or WhatsApp message, even if you lost nothing.sancharsaathi.gov.in
- Local police or cyber cellFor threats, blackmail or large losses, file an FIR. Take your screenshots and transaction details.Emergency: 112