New Delhi: The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the growing ‘digital arrest’ scam, noting that it is “shocking” how often even well-educated people fall prey to such fraud.
Across the country, callers posing as senior police officials allegedly threaten victims with “house arrest” and then negotiate a payment to “resolve” the issue. Many, fearing consequences, end up transferring money and later realise they have been cheated.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Suryakant and Justice Jaymalya Bagchi is hearing matters related to the scam. During the latest hearing, the Chief Justice said a woman known to him had lost her entire pension benefits after being targeted.
The bench adjourned the case to May 12. Earlier, the court was informed that digital frauds have led to losses of about Rs 54,000 crore from unsuspecting people.
The Supreme Court has also urged the Centre to frame standard guidelines in coordination with the Reserve Bank of India and telecom companies to curb such frauds, and had directed the CBI to probe ‘digital arrest’ scams nationwide.
