‘Digital arrest’ scam operated from abroad; large network working on it : Maharashtra CM Fadnavis

(Digital arrest is a financial scam done by pretending to be an officer through video calls)

Mumbai – “A large network is working behind ‘Digital Arrest’ scam. As soon as money is received in an account, it is immediately diverted to hundreds of other accounts. This network is run from abroad. Those involved in the scam within India do not have full information of the foreigners who run this network,” informed Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the Legislative Assembly on February 24th. Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi had raised a starred question in the House about preventing ‘Digital Arrest’ scam. The Chief Minister gave the above information in response.

“Digital arrest is entirely a scam. There is no law or rule regarding this; however, retired Police officers and retired administrative officers have also fallen prey to this scam,” the Chief Minister said. (Those who wish welfare of the society feel that the Union and State Governments should proactively identify new methods of scam and take effective measures to curb them in time – Editor).

🚨 ‘Digital Arrest’ Is a Scam, Govt Sounds Alarm!

“There is no such thing as a digital arrest. A big system is working behind these frauds, even from abroad,” warns Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis during the state Budget Session.

📊 Maharashtra reported 145 major cybercrime… pic.twitter.com/lg3Ie7N3X7

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) February 24, 2026

Modus operandi of this scam

“The person on the other end of the video call claims to be a Police officer and tells the person on this end that a parcel has been found in his name which contains illicit drugs. The person is said to be digitally arrested and asked to stay put. To avoid this arrest, lakhs of rupees are demanded. Once the money is received, it is immediately diverted to other accounts. A large network is working for this,” the Chief Minister informed the House.

Senior citizens are being targeted : Yogesh Kadam, Minister of State for Home Affairs

It is important to be vigilant about digital arrests. Senior citizens are being targeted in this. If you encounter such fraud, you should immediately report it to the helpline number 1930. Mumbai Police are creating awareness about this.