Bombay High Court Demands Police Reforms Over 'Digital Arrest' Scam Failures

The court criticized police inefficiency in addressing cyber fraud cases, ordered 'Zero FIR' guidelines, and highlighted systemic issues in protecting senior citizens.

The Bombay High Court expressed dissatisfaction with delayed police action in cyber fraud cases, particularly the ₹32 lakh 'digital arrest' scam targeting a 71-year-old woman.
An 86-year-old woman in South Mumbai lost over ₹20 crore to a 'digital arrest' fraud; three suspects have been arrested, and ₹77 lakh has been frozen so far.
The court directed police to implement 'Zero FIR' guidelines to ensure prompt registration and handling of cybercrime complaints.
The 'digital arrest' scam involves fraudsters impersonating law enforcement to extort victims, often targeting senior citizens through intimidation and forged documents.
Investigations suggest international networks may be involved in some cases, reflecting the growing sophistication of cybercriminals.