New Delhi, Dec 1 (UNI) The Supreme Court today directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to launch an extensive probe into the alarming rise of digital arrest scams across India.
A Bench, comprising Chief Justice of India, Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, took note of submissions by the amicus curiae highlighting three major categories of cybercrime, digital arrest scams, investment scams and part-time job scams, and observed that such offences often involve extortion or deceptive schemes that lure victims into depositing large sums of money.
Emphasising the gravity of the threat, particularly to senior citizens, the Court ordered the CBI to prioritise investigation into digital arrest scams before taking up other categories of cyber fraud.
The Court further directed that the CBI must have full authority to examine the role of bankers under the Prevention of Corruption Act wherever fraudulent accounts have been used, and instructed the Reserve Bank of India to explore whether artificial intelligence or machine-learning tools could help identify suspicious accounts and freeze proceeds of crime.
Authorities under the Information Technology Intermediary Rules, 2021 were asked to fully cooperate with the investigation, while States that have not granted general consent to the CBI were directed to do so to ensure a uniform, nationwide probe.
Considering the possibility of cross-border involvement, the Court permitted the CBI to seek assistance from Interpol whenever required and asked the Department of Telecom to submit proposals for preventing misuse of SIM cards if evidence shows negligence by telecom providers.
It also reminded States to expedite the establishment of cybercrime centres and report any obstacles faced.
The directions were issued in a suo motu case initiated in October after a senior citizen couple informed the Court that they had been defrauded of Rs 1.5 crore by scammers impersonating officials of the CBI, Intelligence Bureau and judiciary, who used phone and video calls and even forged Supreme Court orders to coerce payment under threat of arrest.
The Bench noted that ever since it took cognisance, several victims have come forward, FIRs have been registered in multiple States and a disturbing pattern has emerged showing that fraudsters continue to innovate new methods, including part-time job scams that initially involve harmless tasks before demanding large payments.
The Court expressed particular concern that senior citizens are frequently targeted and stressed that such cases must be investigated on priority.
It recalled that nearly Rs 3,000 crore has been extorted nationwide through such cyber frauds, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated action by investigating agencies and regulators.
UNI SNG SAS