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Scam of the WeekWeek of 2 Nov 2026Fake police and officials#diwali1 min read

The "digital arrest" video call

A caller posing as police, CBI or customs says you are under "digital arrest" and must pay to clear your name. There is no such thing.

Cyber Crime Branch (video call)

This is Inspector Sharma, Cyber Crime Branch. A parcel in your name with illegal items has been seized. You are under digital arrest1. Stay on this video call and do not tell anyone.2 To clear your name, transfer your savings to the RBI verification account.3 Case no. CB/2026/4471. Act within 1 hour or a warrant will be issued.4

How it works

  1. 1

    It starts with a call or a WhatsApp message. Someone says a parcel in your name was caught with drugs or fake passports, or that your Aadhaar was used to open a bank account for crime.

  2. 2

    You are passed to an "officer" on a video call. They wear a uniform, sit in front of a police logo and show official-looking papers. They tell you that you are under "digital arrest": you must stay on camera, not hang up, and tell nobody, not even your family.

  3. 3

    Then comes the way out: move your money to a "safe" government account for "verification", and it will be returned once you are cleared. It never comes back.

Red flags

  1. 1Police, CBI or customs never arrest anyone over a video call. There is no "digital arrest".
  2. 2You are told to stay on camera and keep it secret, even from your family.
  3. 3You are asked to move money to an account for "verification" or to clear your name.
  4. 4Fear and hurry: a case number, threats of jail, "this must be done today".

What to do

  • Hang up. A real officer sends a written notice; they do not keep you on a call.
  • Tell a family member or friend straight away. This scam works only while you are alone.
  • Never transfer money or share bank details, OTPs or Aadhaar to "clear your name".
  • Report the number on Sanchar Saathi (Chakshu), and the call at 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.
Got a suspicious message? Check it
1930

Already lost money? Call 1930 straight away.

The National Cyber Crime Helpline. Or report it at cybercrime.gov.in. The sooner you report it, the better the chance of stopping the money.

Call 1930

Scam or safe?

What would you do?

  1. A video caller in police uniform says you are under digital arrest and must not leave the call. What do you do?

  2. "Move your savings to this government account for verification. It will be returned in 24 hours." Safe or scam?

Questions people ask

Can the police arrest me on a video call?

No. There is no such thing as a “digital arrest”. Police, CBI and customs do not arrest anyone over a video call, and do not ask for money to close a case. A real case comes with a written notice, and you can always check with your local police station.

They know my Aadhaar number and details. Does that make it real?

No. Scammers often have names, numbers and Aadhaar details from data leaks. Knowing your details does not make a caller genuine. Hang up and check for yourself.

I have already sent money. What now?

Call 1930, the National Cyber Crime Helpline, straight away, or report it at cybercrime.gov.in. Tell your bank too, and report the caller’s number on Sanchar Saathi (Chakshu).

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For awareness only. The-Inversity is an education company, not the police: report a crime at 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.