SC amazed at digital arrest scams: ‘What is wrong with victims?’

The Supreme Court of India expressed astonishment during a hearing regarding ongoing digital arrest scams, questioning how educated individuals continue to fall victim despite widespread awareness campaigns and media coverage. The bench noted that individuals facing such calls can simply turn off their devices or check official court websites to verify the legitimacy of any purported arrest orders.

During the proceedings, an amicus curiae informed the court that digital fraud persists, citing a recent incident where a woman lost Rs 2.5 crore. The court considered holding commercial banks legally and financially liable for victims' losses if investigations reveal that a lack of due diligence by financial institutions enabled the fraudulent transactions to occur.

In response to the judicial scrutiny, the Attorney General reported that digital arrest incidents have dropped by 50 per cent following earlier court interventions. He added that banks are now flagging suspicious transactions and discussions have been held with the Reserve Bank of India to formulate new regulatory rules.

Not yet reported: The articles do not provide specific details on the identities of the fraudsters or the operational methods used in the cited financial losses.