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

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

In 2026, scammers use real-time deepfake AI to superimpose an actual IPS or CBI officer's face and voice on themselves during video calls. A virtual police-station backdrop with official seals is displayed. Victims cannot visually distinguish the deepfake from a real officer.

Last seen: 5/18/2026

AI-generated virtual courtrooms host multi-actor impersonations: TRAI→CBI→RBI enforcement→fake judge each demanding crores as 'settlement.' One victim kept 54 days on-call. CBI arrested 3 including a bank official in a ₹1.6 crore case. MHA asked WhatsApp to block device IDs.

Last seen: 5/20/2026

Pakistan spy accusation (June 2026): caller posing as Delhi ATS or J&K police accuses victim of espionage for Pakistan, threatens 10-year imprisonment + ₹50 lakh fine. Mumbai 64-year-old duped of ₹22.4 lakh — first documented espionage-pretext digital arrest. Same isolation and payment pressure as standard variant.

Last seen: 6/14/2026

Fake HC judge variant (May 2026): caller poses as a sitting High Court judge needing a 'trustworthy contact for an urgent official matter', builds trust, then demands 'court fees', 'bail deposit' or 'legal clearance'. Bihar Muzaffarpur transporter lost ₹20 lakh.

Last seen: 5/25/2026

Fake I4C/IB letter (June 2026): email or WhatsApp message bearing official I4C or Intelligence Bureau logo and fake reference numbers falsely accuses recipient of cybercrime (child pornography, money laundering). Demands written response within 24 hours or arrest. PIB debunked June 28, 2026. No government agency sends legal notices via messaging apps.

Last seen: 6/30/2026

Landline/telecom disconnection entry (July 2026): first call claims the victim's landline or broadband will be disconnected within 2 hours for involvement in criminal activities. Pressing a key 'transfers' you to a fake TRAI officer, then a fake police inspector who shows video 'evidence.' Bengaluru couple defrauded ₹3.17 crore over 3 months (July 2, 2026).

Last seen: 7/4/2026

India-based BPO call factory (July 2026): 119 callers at Lucknow's 'Solaris Solutions' impersonated Amazon/Microsoft/Apple/Netflix support, then escalated to FBI/FTC/US Marshals to threaten US victims with arrest unless they wired savings. 103 laptops, 177 phones seized; ₹200 crore fraud. Amazon and Microsoft tips triggered the raid.

Last seen: 7/5/2026

FedEx courier + Aadhaar misuse pretext (Udupi, July-August 2026): caller poses as customs official claiming a FedEx parcel registered under victim's Aadhaar contained drugs and fake passports. Victim 'transferred' to fake police inspector who monitored via Skype for 12 days, demanding ₹1.33 crore in transfers. Case filed at Udupi cyber cell.

Last seen: 8/11/2026

Reel-creator operating digital-arrest syndicate (Pune, August 2026): Pune Cyber Police arrested a social-media reel creator running a ₹10.74 crore digital-arrest extortion network. The accused publicly created viral content while simultaneously impersonating police/CBI on WhatsApp video calls to extort victims via fake digital-arrest claims.

Last seen: 8/16/2026

AAI (Airports Authority of India) impersonation (August 2026): caller poses as an AAI or airport security officer claiming a parcel or luggage checked in using the victim's Aadhaar/name contained contraband. Victim is 'transferred' to a fake CBI/customs officer on WhatsApp video who demands they stay on the call and transfer money to 'clear their name.'

Last seen: 8/18/2026

NIA + ED relay digital arrest (Bengaluru, August 2026): caller impersonates an NIA officer, claiming the victim's courier/account is linked to terrorism financing or hawala. Victim is 'relayed' to a fake ED officer for money-laundering charges. Consecutive agency relay escalates fear; victims transfer to fake 'ED escrow accounts.' Bengaluru: ₹8.5 lakh lost.

Last seen: 8/23/2026

Operation Chakra-VI Phase 2 (Sep 4–8, 2026): CBI raided 89 locations across 20 states, targeting mule-money networks behind 3 digital arrest cases totalling ₹42.36 crore. Eight arrests total by Sep 8, 2026; proceeds layered across mule accounts. Delhi Police separately busted ₹83 crore mule-account ring; handler caught at IGI Airport fleeing to Dubai.

Last seen: 9/8/2026

'Telecom Headquarters New Delhi' impersonation (Pune, Aug-Sep 2026): caller says victim's phone was used for fraud and obscene content, sends fabricated FIR via WhatsApp, escalates to fake Mumbai Crime Branch then CBI. Targets retired defense officers with fixed deposits. Pune Army officer (70s) lost ₹1.28 crore over 2 weeks.

Last seen: 9/17/2026

Terrorism financing charge pretext (Delhi, Jul-Aug 2026): caller claims victim's Aadhaar and phone are linked to terrorist financing, threatens arrest under counter-terrorism laws. 26-day digital arrest kept victim isolated from family. Multiple wire transfers totalling ₹1.45 crore. Higher-fear tactic than standard money laundering or drug claim.

Last seen: 9/17/2026

Data Protection Board (DPDP) impersonation (Oct 2026): caller poses as a Data Protection Board of India official claiming victim's Aadhaar/SIM was used to illegally process personal data under DPDP Act 2023. Victim transferred to fake cyber-cell police. Thane: ₹1.25 crore; Mangaluru: ₹34.48 lakh; Badlapur: ₹86 lakh. Real Board has no criminal-arrest powers.

Last seen: 10/3/2026

CJI Gavai impersonation (Oct 2026): caller threatens 'digital arraignment before CJI Gavai', sends forged Supreme Court orders via WhatsApp, demands payment before the hearing. Maharashtra cases: Nashik retiree lost ₹72 lakh; two others lost ₹6.72 crore. Invokes the sitting CJI's name for extra fear.

Last seen: 10/7/2026