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CRITICAL digital arrest

Police or CBI on video call says you are under "digital arrest"

A caller on WhatsApp or video chat impersonates a police officer, CBI agent, or customs official claiming your Aadhaar or phone is linked to drugs or money laundering. They demand you stay on-call and pay to "settle."

Also known as: digital arrest scam, cyber arrest scam, CBI WhatsApp scam, FedEx digital arrest

What to do right now

  1. 1 End the call immediately — no government agency will arrest you over video
  2. 2 Inform a trusted family member or friend right away
  3. 3 Do not transfer any money under any circumstances
  4. 4 Do not share Aadhaar, PAN, bank details, or OTPs
  5. 5 If you installed any 'support' or 'server' or 'refund app' or remote-access app at the scammer's request (AnyDesk, TeamViewer, Quick Support, etc.), run free SeraphSecure (https://www.seraphsecure.com) to detect and remove it.
  6. 6 Report at https://cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930 (national cyber helpline).

Was remote-access software installed?

If a scammer asked you to install AnyDesk, TeamViewer, Quick Support, or any remote-access app, your device may still be compromised.

Run SeraphSecure to detect and remove it →

Red flags

  • ⚠ No law in India permits 'digital arrest' — it is not a real legal concept
  • ⚠ Caller shows a fake badge, police uniform, or government office backdrop on video
  • ⚠ You are told to stay on the call and not speak to family — this is isolation, a classic scam tactic
  • ⚠ Demands money to 'clear your name' or 'pay a fine' before formal charges

Known variants

  • Caller claims to be from TRAI and says your mobile number is linked to illegal calls or SIM fraud, and will be disconnected. You are 'transferred' to a fake police officer who demands payment to close the case.

    Last seen: 5/16/2026

Sources