Digital Arrest Scams: Why Senior Citizens Are Being Targeted And What To Do

An 85-year-old woman recently losing Rs 1.3 crore to a so-called “digital arrest” is no longer an isolated shock but a disturbing pattern. Across India, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting senior citizens, exploiting fear, authority and unfamiliarity with digital systems to siphon off life savings.

The surge has been sharp and costly: cybercrime complaints on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal jumped 42 per cent to around 23 lakh in 2024, while financial losses tripled to an estimated Rs 23,000 crore, according to media reports. Alarmed by the scale and sophistication of these scams, the Supreme Court has recently directed the CBI to launch a nationwide probe into digital arrest frauds. Despite this, such cases continue to be reported almost daily.

What Is A Digital Arrest And How Do Cybercriminals Execute This Fraud?

According to legal experts, a ‘digital arrest’ is not a legitimate legal process but a cyber-fraud built on fear and impersonation. Criminals exploit people’s respect for law-enforcement and use technology to create a fake sense of official authority.

In instances of digital arrest fraud, cybercriminals typically stage a call masquerading as an authority figure such as an official of the local police, CBI, Enforcement Directorate or an official of a government department. They will imply that the victim’s name or phone number has been involved in the commission of a crime and that they are wanted for questioning and prosecution.

“When the victim, predictably, panics and denies any involvement in a crime, the fraudster then states that in order to help clear their name, they will have to assist the investigators. Thereafter, they often ask the individual to start a video call, take down personal details such as ID cards, bank account information, etc., instruct the victim not to speak to anyone else about the situation and ask the individual to transfer certain funds,” says Niharika Karanjawala, Principal Associate, Karanjawala & Co.

Such transfer of funds is often justified by saying that it will be transferred to an ostensibly safe account and, after verifications are done, it will be transferred back to the victim. As soon as any funds are transferred, the fraudsters immediately further transfer them to other accounts and then eventually withdraw them.

Why Are The Elderly Prime Targets Of Digital Arrest Scams?

Senior citizens are particularly vulnerable to digital-arrest scams owing to a confluence of psychological, social, and technological factors.

Perpetrators perceive them as soft targets with limited digital literacy and an underdeveloped understanding of phishing, spoofing, and other cyber deception techniques. Moreover, the fear of legal exposure or reputational damage, especially within a demographic that places high value on social standing, and integrity, makes them more susceptible to coercive tactics.

“Their deep-seated trust in government and law-enforcement institutions makes them more likely to believe impersonated officials, particularly when the messages are framed in a formal, authoritative tone. Additionally, senior citizens are targeted because they typically have accessible funds, are less likely to seek immediate verification, and may hesitate to report such incidents promptly due to embarrassment or confusion,” informs Soumen Mohanty, partner, AQUILAW.

Karanjawala adds, “Even educated people, when threatened with criminal consequences and given the hope that - if they simply follow instructions without any question, they will be saved from those consequences - often fall prey to scams of this kind.”

What Should The Elderly Do?

If a senior citizen receives a threatening video call claiming to be from law enforcement, the safest thing to do is to disconnect immediately without arguing or staying on the call. They should note the caller’s number, take screenshots if possible, and inform a trusted family member right away.

“Any claims made during such calls should be verified solely through official police or government helpline numbers listed on authorised websites. It is important not to transfer any money or share personal details such as Aadhaar, PAN, bank information, or OTPs,” says Shankey Agrawal, partner, BMR Legal.

Seniors should also avoid installing remote-access apps like AnyDesk or TeamViewer, which scammers use to control devices. If any sensitive information has been shared, they should contact their bank immediately to block suspicious transactions. Keeping digital evidence like call logs, screenshots, and chat messages will help in filing a police complaint and protecting against further fraud.

Also, “under no circumstance should victims make payments or divulge OTPs, PINs, or banking passwords, as these are direct conduits for theft. They must not comply with any instruction to maintain secrecy or to transfer funds between accounts, since these are techniques to launder stolen money and erase digital traces,” advises Mohanty.

Where To File Complaints

The national helpline 1930 and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) are the first points of contact. A formal complaint can also be filed at the nearest police station or state cyber-crime cell, which can initiate investigation and coordinate with banks to block suspicious accounts.

“Victims should immediately inform their bank in writing and attach proof of the call or attempted fraud. Quick reporting is essential - once funds move across multiple digital wallets, recovery becomes much harder,” says Agrawal.

What To Do If You’ve Already Fallen For The Scam

If money has already been sent, speed is crucial. The first step is to contact your bank’s fraud department and request an emergency freeze on the transaction. At the same time, you should call the national helpline 1930 and file a detailed complaint online at the Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

“You should then approach the nearest police station or cybercrime cell to file a formal complaint, submitting all relevant evidence such as call records, screenshots, payment receipts, and any fake identification used. It’s also important to change all online passwords and ask your mobile or internet provider to disable any remote-access apps that may have been installed. If reported quickly, banks and cyber units can freeze suspicious accounts within hours,” says Agrawal.

Victims should also monitor their credit reports and consider professional help to protect their identity from further misuse.