New Delhi: The Supreme Court has directed the CBI to conduct a nationwide unified investigation into “digital arrest” scams. The probe may extend outside India if required, with support from Interpol.
The court questioned the Reserve Bank of India on why AI tools are not used to identify and freeze bank accounts linked to cyber criminals. Several opposition-ruled states—West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka—had withdrawn general consent for CBI investigations, forcing the court to instruct them to permit the probe.
Digital arrest scams involve fraudsters impersonating officials of investigation agencies or courts via audio or video calls, coercing victims into virtual confinement and extorting money.
The order came while hearing a case filed suo motu on the complaint of an elderly couple from Haryana. The court noted that elderly people are the primary victims who lose lifetime savings in such frauds.
The Supreme Court also instructed IT centres, telecom operators, social media platforms, and ministries to cooperate with the CBI. Banks must examine the role of their staff in opening fraudulent accounts, bringing them under corruption laws if necessary.
