A strong nationwide push against rising online frauds has now been set in motion with a decisive order from the Supreme Court.
The Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to carry out a pan India investigation into digital arrest scams and other major cyber frauds. This move bypasses the usual need for consent from State governments, with the Court stating that the scale and seriousness of these crimes go beyond State boundaries and normal policing limits.
Digital arrest scams involve criminals posing as police or government officials on video calls. Victims are falsely accused of serious crimes and threatened with arrest to force them into transferring money. Government estimates show that more than three thousand crore rupees has already been stolen through such scams. Senior citizens have been identified as the most frequent targets.
The Court has also instructed the CBI to examine the role of bank staff who help in opening or misusing mule accounts. These accounts allow fraudsters to move and hide illegal money and form the backbone of most cyber fraud networks. The Court described India’s financial system as “susceptible to manipulation” and called for urgent reform and strict monitoring.
The Reserve Bank of India has been asked to deploy AI and ML systems to detect “layering” and stop suspicious fund movement in real time. Online platforms and digital intermediaries have been directed to cooperate fully with the CBI under the IT Rules 2021.
The probe will now also cover investment scams fake part time job rackets online loan frauds and romance scams which have sharply increased in recent years. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau shows a steep year on year rise in cybercrime across the country.
The Court noted that many large scams are now being run from abroad. Several scam centres operate in conflict affected regions of Southeast Asia. Countries like Myanmar Cambodia and Laos host such centres where trafficked workers including Indians are forced to commit fraud. Myanmar has been flagged as a major hotspot where the military led regime is reportedly benefiting from these networks.
Globally countries such as the United States have launched special task forces to tackle these crimes. Experts say India must also raise the issue on global platforms and work closely with ASEAN and the United Nations.
The Court stressed that public awareness is equally critical. Citizens especially senior citizens rural users and first time digital users must be educated about cyber safety.
The order is seen as a major step in building a united national response to one of the fastest growing digital crimes.
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