Mohit Jain, a 35-year-old IT professional working in Mumbai, receives a call from someone claiming to be a police officer. The caller tells him that his bank account has been linked to a drug smuggling operation. He says a warrant is being issued to arrest Jain. Panicked, he listens to the instructions given by the caller.
The fake officer tells him to confirm his bank details to clear his name. He asks Jain to share the OTP sent to his phone to verify his identity. The moment he shares the OTP, money is withdrawn from his account. By the time Jain realises it’s a scam, the money is already gone from his bank account.
In recent years, digital arrest fraud has become a growing problem in India. Scammers use fear and pressure to trick people into handing over personal information. They often pose as a police or other government officer, demanding bank details or other information to commit fraud with someone.
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Adhil Shetty, CEO of Bankbazaar.com, says, “In digital arrest fraud cases, the caller sounds confident and official. He may even give a fake badge number or a case reference. To make the call seem more convincing, they may use official-sounding language. They often say that the only way to avoid arrest is to provide your bank details. In some cases, they ask for sensitive information like your Aadhaar number or OTPs. If you hesitate, they may threaten you with immediate arrest or legal action.”
These scammers often look out for vulnerable people and use fear and panic. Victims are asked to act quickly to avoid trouble. They get so involved in these phone calls that they give away sensitive information. This gives scammers direct access to their bank accounts. Once the scammers have the details, they quickly transfer money or make purchases.
Digital arrest fraud is a serious issue. But you can protect yourself by knowing what to do. First, remember that the police will never call you for bank details. Law enforcement agencies do not threaten immediate arrest over the phone. Genuine investigations follow a legal process. They involve formal communication, not sudden phone calls.
If you receive such a call,
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