Money & banking › "Digital arrest" or fake police call
Paid money to “clear my name” on a police video call
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 elseCall 1930 now — money can still be frozen.
Make my own list — free, 2 minutes
Your situation
- Did you send any money? Yes
Where you stand
- Next step Once police freeze money, an advocate can apply to the court to release it to you.
- Next step For frauds from 1 Jan 2027, reporting to both your bank and 1930 within 5 calendar days can make small losses (up to ₹50,000) eligible for RBI compensation.
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. - Every transaction: date, time, amount, UTR and the receiving account
Banks freeze the receiving accounts using these details. Where: Bank statement, UPI app, deposit slips. - FIR or police complaint copy
Needed to ask the court to release frozen money back to you. Where: Police station or cyber cell. - Written complaint to your bank, with reference number
Starts the bank's own fraud process and record. Where: Bank app, email or branch.
You may also need, depending on your answers
- 1930 / cybercrime.gov.in acknowledgement number — Needed for bank, police and court steps.
- 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
- Is the call or threat still going on?
- When did you send the last payment?
- 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
- Call saying a parcel in my name has drugs
- Fake TRAI call saying my number will be cut
- Family member is on a long video call with “officers” and won’t hang up
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