By ScanMonk Editorial Team

India is witnessing one of the fastest-growing cybercrimes in recent years - the Digital Arrest Scam.

If you have ever received a sudden call from a “police officer,” “CBI agent,” or “cyber cell officer” claiming you’re involved in a crime, you’ve already encountered the first stage of this fraud.

In 2025, this scam has evolved so much that even well-educated individuals - students, professionals, business owners - are falling for it.

This blog will explain how the digital arrest scam works, why it’s booming in India, and the exact steps you should follow to stay safe.

What Is a Digital Arrest Scam?

A Digital Arrest Scam is a psychological manipulation fraud where scammers pretend to be:

1. Police officers
2. CBI agents
3. NCRB officials
4. Cyber Cell
5. RBI / Bank fraud teams

They accuse you of a fake crime and force you to stay on a video call, threatening “digital arrest” if you disconnect.

Their goals are simple:

1. Force you to pay money
2. Manipulate you into revealing personal information
3. Control you through fear

This scam has already looted crores in India.

Why the Digital Arrest Scam Is Rising in 2025

1. Deepfake Technology

Scammers now use AI-generated:

1. Police backgrounds
2. Fake uniforms
3. Video overlays
4. Deepfake voices

This makes them look “official,” even though they are not.

2. Public Fear of Authority

People panic when they hear terms like:

1. "FIR registered"
2. "Your Aadhaar is misused."
3. "Your bank account is seized."

Scammers use fear as their most powerful weapon.

3. Lack of Awareness

Most people don’t know:

1. Police never call randomly
2. No agency arrests someone digitally
3. No authority demands money during a video call

This lack of awareness creates a perfect loophole.

How Digital Arrest Scams Actually Work (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: The Shock Call

You receive a call saying:

1. Your SIM is linked to illegal activity
2. A parcel under your name contains drugs
3. Your Aadhaar/PAN is used for money laundering

They always start with fear.

Step 2: Fake Identity Proof

The scammer sends:

1. A police ID card
2. A fake badge
3. A “case summary” PDF
4. A deepfake video of a “police station”

These documents look highly realistic.

Step 3: Psychological Control

They force you to:

1. Stay in a private room
2. Turn on video call
3. Not hang up
4. Not tell anyone
5. Not touch your phone

This is the digital arrest part.

Step 4: The Extortion

Once you’re under fear, they ask for money:

1. “Your account is under verification.”
2. “Transfer funds temporarily for clearance.”
3. “Pay to stop the case”
4. “Pay to avoid an FIR”

Victims sometimes lose:

1. ₹50,000
2. ₹2 lakh
3. Even ₹20–30 lakh

Real Cases from India (2024–2025)

Multiple cases have been reported where:

1. Working professionals paid lakhs after being “digitally arrested” for hours
2. Students were trapped for 8+ hours nonstop
3. Scammers used Zoom backgrounds to mimic police stations

This scam is now widespread, organized, and extremely professional.

How to Identify a Digital Arrest Scam Instantly

✔ Police never call you randomly

✔ No agency arrests you over a video call

✔ No officer demands money

✔ No one asks for Aadhaar/PAN verification on call

✔ No official uses WhatsApp for investigations

✔ FIR is never “stopped” by paying money

If any call tells you:

1. “Don’t disconnect.”
2. “Sit alone in a room”
3. “Join a video call for verification.”

It is 100% a scam.

What to Do If You Receive Such a Call

1. Hang Up Immediately

Scammers lose power once you disconnect.

2. Do NOT follow any instructions

No OTP

No payment

No downloads

No screen sharing

3. Don’t share personal details

Not even name, address, or ID number.

4. Report It

Go to:

🔹 cybercrime.gov.in

🔹 Nearest cyber cell

🔹 ScanMonk (for awareness & reporting)

5. Tell your family immediately

Most victims were trapped because they stayed silent.

Why People Fall for This Scam

Scammers know how to create:

1. Panic
2. Urgency
3. Authority
4. Guilt

Fear + Isolation = Manipulation.

And the shame of being scammed stops victims from speaking.

That is why education is the only real defence.

How ScanMonk Helps

ScanMonk is building India’s digital trust ecosystem.

We help users:

1. Understand new scam patterns
2. Learn about cybercrime alerts
3. Identify online fraud
4. Report suspicious activity
5. Verify brands before buying

With 20,000+ active users and 4,000+ brands verified, we are creating an internet where fear-based scams don’t survive.

Conclusion

Digital arrest scams are one of the most dangerous cyber frauds in India today.

They rely on fear, not technology.

By learning how they work and spreading awareness, you can protect not just yourself - but your family, friends, and community.

Stay alert.

Stay aware.

Stay safe with ScanMonk.