According to the report, the Ministry of Home Affairs has set up an inter-departmental panel chaired by the Special Secretary (Internal Security). The committee includes senior officers of the Central Bureau of Investigation, National Investigation Agency and Delhi Police at the Inspector General level, along with the Member Secretary of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). Officials at the joint secretary level from key ministries—including Electronics and Information Technology, Telecommunications, External Affairs, Finance, Law and Justice, Consumer Affairs, and the Reserve Bank of India—are also part of the panel.

The committee has been tasked with examining all dimensions of digital arrest scams, including their modus operandi, cross-border links, financial channels, technological loopholes and enforcement challenges. Its mandate also includes recommending coordinated steps to prevent such crimes and strengthen victim protection mechanisms.

The Supreme Court’s intervention in the issue began after it took suo motu cognisance of a complaint by an elderly couple from Haryana who were allegedly defrauded by impostors posing as police and court officials. In an earlier hearing on December 16, 2025, the court directed the Centre to ensure compensation for victims and expressed concern over the large sums of money being siphoned out of the country through such frauds.

Calling digital arrest scams an attack on the justice system itself, the bench observed that criminals were misusing the names, seals and authority of courts and law enforcement agencies to intimidate citizens. The court has since issued a series of directions to central agencies, banks and state governments to mount a unified response.

Under the court’s orders, the CBI has been asked to conduct a nationwide, coordinated investigation into digital arrest cases. The RBI has been questioned on the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect and freeze suspicious or “mule” accounts. States and Union Territories have been directed to set up cyber crime coordination centres and extend full cooperation to central agencies.

Digital arrest scams typically involve fraudsters impersonating officials and coercing victims through video calls and fake documents, often forcing them to transfer money under threat of arrest or public humiliation. Elderly individuals and those unfamiliar with technology are among the most frequent targets.

The Centre has told the Supreme Court that the newly formed committee will work towards a uniform national strategy, including stricter accountability for banks, telecom providers and digital platforms, to curb the spread of these scams.