Overview
- More than ₹3,000 crore has been extracted from victims in India, with elderly people disproportionately targeted, according to a sealed government report reviewed by the court.
- The bench led by Justice Surya Kant called the fraud a very big challenge and said it will issue harsh directions to strengthen enforcement efforts.
- Senior advocate N.S. Nappinai was appointed amicus curiae, and the court listed the matter for November 10 to consider her suggestions for protective measures.
- The court has sought nationwide case data and indicated that probes could be consolidated under a single agency, with the CBI identified as the preferred option.
- Officials detailed a modus operandi involving AI‑morphed courtroom visuals, forged orders and untraceable WhatsApp calls, with gangs operating from overseas 'scam compounds' in jurisdictions lacking mutual legal assistance.