Supreme Court Warns of “Unusual Orders” as Digital Arrest Scam Explodes Nationwide

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta echoed the sentiment, remarking that “unusual phenomena need unusual intervention.”

The Bench also comprising of Justice Joymalya Bagchi made the remarks while allowing an intervention application filed by the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA).

The association informed the Court that one of its senior members had recently fallen victim to a sophisticated digital arrest scam, underscoring the scale and proximity of the threat.

Appearing for SCAORA, counsel told the Court that scammers were increasingly targeting senior citizens, often impersonating law enforcement and coercing victims into transferring large sums of money under the guise of imminent arrest. The counsel added that the defrauded senior member of the Bar had identified two to three individuals who were subsequently arrested. However, their 90-day custody period was nearing its end.

To prevent the accused from securing release before the investigation is complete, the Bench issued a rare direction: “The individuals who have been arrested in that case shall not be released on bail from any court of this country till the investigation comes to a conclusion.” With this the Court allowed the intervention application.

During the hearing, the Amicus informed the Bench that she has given her suggestions and the same is placed on record. The Court also noted that suggestions of the Solicitor General of India (SGI) Tushar Mehta have also been placed on record.

The Bench has scheduled the matter for giving interim orders on November 24 at 2pm.

On the last hearing, the Bench had expressed grave concern over the scale of the nationwide “Digital Arrest Scam,” observing that nearly ₹3,000 crore has already been extorted from victims across India. Justice Kant hadremarked that the situation is “very shocking” and warned that if the menace is not tackled with “iron hands,” it will only “magnify.” He had noted, “₹3,000 crores has been collected from victims in our country alone. We don’t know what’s the suffering at the global level.”

Notably, on October 27, the Court had handed over two Haryana FIRs to CBI, sought nationwide data on fake SC order and “digital arrest” scams; flagged cross-border syndicates operating from Myanmar and Thailand. The Bench also issued notice to all States and Union Territories, directing them to submit details of similar cybercrime cases under investigation.

Earlier, on October 17, the Court had taken suo motu cognisance of the alarming surge in ‘digital arrest’ scams. While taking note of the complaint, the Court had observed that the case discloses a pattern of organised cybercrime targeting senior citizens. Between September 1 and 16, multiple victims were contacted through WhatsApp and video calls, shown forged Supreme Court orders, and threatened with arrest under fabricated proceedings. The victims, under duress, transferred about Rs.1.5 crore through multiple transactions.