Digital arrest scam
A caller posing as police, CBI or customs says you are under “digital arrest” and must pay to clear your name. How it works and what to do.
The giveaway: No Indian agency arrests anyone over a video call, and none asks you to transfer money to clear your name.
How it works
A caller claiming to be police, CBI, customs, the ED or TRAI says a parcel in your name held drugs, or your Aadhaar was used in a crime. They keep you on a video call for hours and demand money to "verify" your accounts or "settle" the case.
Red flags
- You are told you are under “digital arrest”. There is no such thing in Indian law.
- You are ordered to stay on a video call and not to tell your family.
- The caller wears a uniform or sits in front of a police or agency logo on video.
- You are asked to move money to a “safe” or “verification” account.
- The call began as a recorded message about a parcel, a SIM card or your Aadhaar.
Example
“This is the customs department. A parcel booked with your Aadhaar contained illegal items. I am transferring you to the cyber crime officer. Do not disconnect this call and do not speak to anyone, or you will be arrested today.”
The pressure to stay on the line and stay silent is the scam. It stops you asking anyone.
This is an illustration of the pattern, not a copy of a real message. Real ones vary in wording.
What to do
- 01Hang up. You cannot be arrested, questioned or cleared over a video call.
- 02Do not transfer money, and do not share bank, card or Aadhaar details.
- 03Tell a family member or friend what happened. The scam relies on you being alone with it.
- 04If you want to check, go to your local police station in person.
- 05If you have already paid, call 1930 immediately and then your bank.
Where to report
Your bank
Call the number printed on the back of your card or shown in your bank’s own app, and ask them to block the card or account and dispute the transaction.
Call 1930
The national cyber-fraud helpline. If money has left your account, call straight away — the sooner it is reported, the better the chance of the money being frozen.
Call 1930National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
File a complaint online at cybercrime.gov.in. Keep the acknowledgement number it gives you.
Open cybercrime.gov.inSanchar Saathi (Chakshu)
Report the suspicious call, SMS or WhatsApp number to the Department of Telecommunications, even if you lost nothing.
Open sancharsaathi.gov.in
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Last reviewed: 6 Oct 2026. Sources: Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Reserve Bank of India, SEBI and the Department of Telecommunications. How we verify