Why in News ?
- The Supreme Court (SC) revealed that over ₹3,000 crore was scammed from victims — mostly elderly citizens — through “digital arrests”.
- SC described it as a “very big challenge” and promised stringent judicial action to aid government and investigative agencies.
Relevance:
- GS-2 (Governance & Polity):
• Role of judiciary in cybercrime regulation.
• Legal response to AI-based digital frauds. - GS-3 (Internal Security):
• Cybercrime networks and cross-border digital extortion.
• Deepfakes, AI misuse, and national security threats.
What are “Digital Arrests”?
- Fraudsters impersonate police officers, judges, or probe agencies using AI-morphed videos, fake documents, and forged court orders.
- Victims are threatened with immediate arrest unless they transfer money.
- Common targets: senior citizens, professionals, and NRIs.
Key Developments
- Bench: Led by Justice Surya Kant (CJI-designate).
- Report Findings:
- ₹3,000 crore defrauded in India alone.
- Cases now spreading globally.
- Solicitor-General (Tushar Mehta): Scams originate from “scam compounds” run by organized cybercrime gangs abroad.
- SC Action:
- Considering CBI probe into cross-border syndicates.
- To issue harsh, supportive orders strengthening agencies’ hands.
- Emphasized the human cost — victims manipulated, trafficked, or enslaved under fake employment promises.
Pattern of Crime
- Technology misuse: AI, deepfakes, spoofed calls, and fake video backdrops of courtrooms/police stations.
- Psychological tactics: Fear, urgency, authority mimicry.
- International linkages: Cyber hubs in Southeast Asia targeting Indians.
- Financial trail: Routed through hawala networks and crypto transfers.
Wider Implications
- National security: Cross-border cyber extortion with intelligence risks.
- Digital governance challenge: Rising misuse of AI and identity-morphing tools.
- Judicial credibility: Fake court impersonations threaten public trust in institutions.
- Elderly vulnerability: Lack of cyber awareness and emotional manipulation.
Way Forward
- Centralised Cyber Fraud Response Platform under MHA.
- Enhanced coordination between CBI, ED, CERT-In, and Interpol.
- Public awareness campaigns for senior citizens and banks.
- Mandatory verification protocols for video/call-based government communications.
- Use of AI-counter tools to detect deepfakes and spoofed visuals.
