Supreme Court's Response to Digital Arrest Scams
The Supreme Court has taken a proactive stance on the rising issue of digital arrest scams by seeking responses from the Centre and the CBI. These scams involve cybercriminals impersonating law enforcement officials to extort money from individuals.
Details of the Case
- A suo motu case was initiated following a fraud incident reported by a senior citizen couple, who lost ₹1.5 crore.
- Cybercriminals impersonated officials from the CBI, Intelligence Bureau, and judicial authorities.
- Fraudsters used forged court orders, supposedly from the Supreme Court, to coerce victims under the threat of arrest.
- The scams were executed through video conferencing platforms and telephones.
Judicial Observations
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi expressed shock at the use of forged Supreme Court orders and aimed to involve the attorney general for assistance.
Nature of the Crime
- The scams involved fabricating judicial orders, including a freeze order under PMLA with forged signatures and stamps.
- The bench clarified that these acts are severe criminal offenses, not just routine cases of cheating or cybercrime.
Wider Impact
The court noted that such incidents are not isolated and have been reported extensively across various regions in the country.
