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Bombay High Court Demands Police Reforms After ₹20 Crore 'Digital Arrest' Scam

The court criticized delayed police responses and urged systemic changes to tackle rising cyber fraud targeting senior citizens.

A case under sections 318(4) (cheating), 319(2) (cheating by impersonation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the IT Act was registered at the cybercrime branch police station on Tuesday. Efforts are underway to recover the money, police said. (Representational image)
Police officials said that the case was registered under sections 319 (2) (cheating by personation) and 318 (4) (cheating) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). (HT Photo)
(Shutterstock)

Overview

  • An 86-year-old South Mumbai woman lost ₹20 crore over two months in a 'digital arrest' scam; three suspects have been arrested, and ₹77 lakh has been frozen.
  • Fraudsters impersonated law enforcement officials, coercing victims into transferring money under threats of legal consequences.
  • The Bombay High Court directed Mumbai Police to implement 'Zero FIR' guidelines to improve the handling of cybercrime cases and prevent delayed action.
  • Judicial scrutiny highlighted systemic inefficiencies, such as understaffed cybercrime units, and called for increased resources to protect vulnerable populations.
  • Investigations into the ₹20 crore scam suggest links to an international cybercrime network, with further arrests and recoveries anticipated.