The Legal Danger of "Digital Arrest" Scams: How Fake Law Enforcement Profiling Works Under the BNS
A person receives a video call from someone claiming to be a police officer. The caller knows the person's name, mobile number and other personal details. He then claims that the victim's identity has been linked to a serious criminal investigation. A second "official" joins the call. A case number appears on screen. A forged notice follows. The victim is told to remain on camera, contact nobody and transfer money to prove innocence. This is the architecture of a "digital arrest" scam. The fraud does not only involve taking money. The criminals first manufacture a false criminal profile of the victim and then surround this profile with fictitious officers and the threat of arrest. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 might be relevant to the conduct underlying the fraud, but one thing is sure: Digital arrest is not a recognised form of arrest in India. Is Digital Arrest Legal in India? No. Is digital arrest legal in India? No Indian law permits a s...