A female doctor from the Sikandra area in Agra was scammed out of Rs 2 lakh by cybercriminals posing as CBI officers. The scam unfolded over a video call where the fraudsters threatened her with arrest if she left the room. Fearing for her safety, she remained in the room for two hours, during which time the criminals convinced her to transfer the money. Once the money was deposited, the call was abruptly disconnected. It was only later that she realized she had been deceived and subsequently reported the incident to the police.
The doctor, who resides in a girls’ hostel, received the initial call in July 2024 from someone claiming to be a CBI officer. The caller alleged that her bank account was under investigation for money laundering and threatened arrest if she did not cooperate. To add credibility, the caller revealed her name and Aadhaar number. She was warned against disconnecting the call and instructed not to inform anyone. Subsequently, she received a video call featuring individuals dressed in police uniforms, making it appear as though she was interacting with an official police office. During this call, the scammers posed further threats, insisting that if she moved or attempted to leave, they would issue an arrest warrant immediately. In her fear, the doctor complied with their demands and transferred Rs 2 lakh online. After the transaction, the call ended, and it was only then that she learned about such fraudulent schemes. She reported the incident to the police, and the Inspector in charge of Sikandra police station confirmed that the case has been noted and is currently under investigation by the cyber cell.
Let’s understand what is this new way of fraud.
In the shifting realm of cybercrime, a new tactic known as ‘Digital House Arrest’ has emerged, targeting individuals in a novel way. Scammers pose as law enforcement officials—such as police officers, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) agents, or customs authorities—and pressure victims to remain confined within their homes. Once they have trapped their victims, they exploit their bank accounts. Recently, there have been numerous reports of such fraudulent schemes.
A report by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) disclosed that India experienced bank frauds exceeding Rs 30,000 crore in FY23 alone. Over the last decade, Indian banks have documented 65,017 fraud cases, culminating in a total loss of Rs 4.69 trillion. Cybercriminals use a variety of strategies to deceive individuals, including scams related to UPI, credit cards, OTPs, job offers, and deliveries. Among these, the digital house arrest scheme has become increasingly prevalent.
What is digital house arrest?
Digital house arrest is a scheme where cybercriminals trap their victims in their homes to carry out fraud. These perpetrators instill fear by making audio or video calls, often impersonating law enforcement officials using AI-generated voices or video feeds. They falsely accuse victims of involvement in illegal activities related to their Aadhaar or phone number, creating a sense of impending arrest to pressure them into transferring money.
Typically, cybercriminals contact victims claiming that they have sent or received parcels containing illegal items such as drugs or counterfeit passports. They might also fabricate stories about the victim’s involvement in a crime or accident, often falsely informing the victim’s relatives or friends to amplify the urgency. Posing as law enforcement, the criminals demand money from the victims to supposedly resolve the case. Victims are forced to remain on video calls until their demands are satisfied.
Cybercriminals use various tactics, including setting up fake police stations or government offices and wearing uniforms that mimic those of law enforcement agencies. In the first reported instance of ‘digital arrest,’ the Uttar Pradesh Police launched an investigation in December of the previous year following a complaint from a resident of Noida. The victim fell victim to the scam, losing over Rs 11 lakh and undergoing a full day of ‘digital arrest.’ The perpetrators, posing as police officials—including an IPS officer from the CBI and the founder of a defunct airline—falsely implicated the victim in a fabricated money-laundering case.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) are collaborating to address the problem of spoof calls originating from abroad. These fraudulent calls falsely claim to be from law enforcement agencies such as the Narcotics Control Bureau or the Central Bureau of Investigation, and often involve threats of ‘digital arrests.’
In addition, I4C is working with Microsoft to address the misuse of logos from enforcement agencies. Scammers, particularly those operating internationally, frequently exploit these logos to deceive Indian citizens and extort money.
To enhance public awareness, I4C has shared infographics and videos on its social media platform, Cyberdost, and across its accounts on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms. The Ministry has urged citizens to remain vigilant and to help spread awareness about cybercrime.
If you receive a call or message of this nature, it is important to report it to the authorities. The government has introduced the Chakshu portal on the Sanchar Saathi website to help combat cyber and online fraud. Additionally, individuals can report such incidents through the cybercrime helpline at 1930 or by visiting http://www.cybercrime.gov.in.
