Money & banking › "Digital arrest" or fake police call
Family member is on a long video call with “officers” and won’t hang up
What usually matters in this situation, and the papers to keep ready before you meet an advocate or free legal aid (call 15100).
Before anything elseHelp them disconnect now. No real officer does this.
End the call. You are not under arrest.No officer arrests anyone on a video call. Hang up, do not pay anything more, and tell a family member. Then call 1930.
Make my own list — free, 2 minutes
Your situation
- Is the call or threat still going on? Yes, they are still in touch
Do these now
- Report the number on Sanchar Saathi (Chakshu)
Helps block it so others are not targeted. Where: sancharsaathi.gov.in
Papers to gather
- Phone numbers, video-call IDs and names they used
Police trace and block these numbers and accounts. Where: Call log, WhatsApp/Skype chat info. - Fake notices, "warrants" or ID cards they sent
Shows the fraud and helps identify the gang. Where: Chats, email.
You may also need, depending on your answers
- Every transaction: date, time, amount, UTR and the receiving account — Banks freeze the receiving accounts using these details.
- 1930 / cybercrime.gov.in acknowledgement number — Needed for bank, police and court steps.
- FIR or police complaint copy — Needed to ask the court to release frozen money back to you.
- Written complaint to your bank, with reference number — Starts the bank's own fraud process and record.
- Call 1930 or file on cybercrime.gov.in now — This is how freezes start.
- Change passwords, uninstall any app they made you install, and tell your bank about shared details — Shared details can be used again.
What the law says
There is no "digital arrest" under Indian law. The Supreme Court asked the CBI to coordinate a pan-India probe into these scams in late 2025. Report on 1930 / cybercrime.gov.in; money moved to mule accounts can sometimes be frozen and later released by court order.
General information, not legal advice.
Saboot will also ask
- Did you send any money?
- Have you reported it?
Similar situations
- Video call from “CBI” or “police” saying I am under digital arrest
- Told my Aadhaar was used for money laundering
- Paid money to “clear my name” on a police video call
- Call saying a parcel in my name has drugs
- Fake TRAI call saying my number will be cut
Sources
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (MHA)
- RBI press release, 24 Jun 2026: Amendment Directions on limiting customer liability in digital transactions (effective 1 Jan 2027)
The full guide: Someone posing as police, CBI, customs or a court threatened me or took money ("digital arrest") · All situations