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Fake legal notices and "digital arrest" scams

Scammers pose as police, CBI, courts or advocates to frighten people into paying. Here's what the government says, how to check a notice, and where to report.

Reviewed by AnjaliUpdated 5 min read

In short

  • In a "digital arrest" scam, criminals pose as police, CBI, the Narcotics department, RBI, the Enforcement Directorate or a court, and keep the victim on a video call until money is paid.
  • The Prime Minister said on 27 October 2024: there is no system like digital arrest in the law, and no government agency inquires or demands money on a phone or video call like this.
  • The government asks people to report such scams at once on the cybercrime helpline 1930 or at cybercrime.gov.in (opens in new tab). Reporting quickly can help stop the money moving.
  • A genuine court summons can be checked on eCourts. A genuine advocate is enrolled with a State Bar Council.

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02What the law says

The Ministry of Home Affairs issued an alert on 14 May 2024 describing these scams. Criminals call claiming that a parcel with drugs, fake passports or other illegal items has been sent in the victim's name, or that a relative is in custody. They demand money to "settle the case". Some keep victims on Skype or other video calls for hours, using sets made to look like police stations and wearing uniforms. The alert asked people to report such calls at once on 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in (opens in new tab). The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, coordinates the response and works with platforms to block accounts used in these scams.

Real legal processes look different. A court summons comes from a named court with a case number that can be checked on eCourts. Arrest is a physical act carried out under the BNSS, with legal safeguards. It isn't done over a video call. Courts and police don't ask people to transfer money to "verify" accounts or to "settle" a case on a call.

Fake legal notices work in a similar way. A message on WhatsApp or by email claims to be from an advocate, a court or an agency, threatens arrest or a case, and demands urgent payment.

03Where you can go

  1. Cybercrime helpline 1930. For immediate reporting, especially if money has been sent.
  2. National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in (opens in new tab)), to file a complaint online.
  3. Your bank. To report the transaction and ask about blocking cards or UPI if details were shared.
  4. Local police station or cyber cell, to file a complaint in person.
  5. eCourts (services.ecourts.gov.in (opens in new tab)), to check whether a case number on a "summons" is real.
  6. State Bar Council, to check whether the "advocate" who sent a notice is enrolled.

04How it usually works

  1. 01

    The government's public advice, when a caller claims to be from the police, CBI or a court and threatens arrest, is to stop, think and take action: end the call, and not transfer money or share OTPs or bank details.

  2. 02

    People then check independently: the agency's or court's official contact details, any case number on eCourts, and the advocate with the Bar Council.

  3. 03

    Anyone who has already paid usually calls 1930 as soon as possible and contacts their bank.

  4. 04

    A complaint is filed on cybercrime.gov.in (opens in new tab) with screenshots, numbers, account details and transaction IDs.

  5. 05

    Police may register an FIR and work with banks to trace and freeze the money. Recovery isn't guaranteed and depends on how fast it is reported.

05Time limits

  • As soon as possible. There's no legal deadline to report, but reporting quickly on 1930 gives the best chance of the money being stopped before it moves on.

06Documents to gather

  • Screenshots of calls, video-call IDs, messages and any "notice", "warrant" or "summons" received
  • Phone numbers, email addresses and social media IDs used
  • Bank, UPI or card transaction IDs, and the accounts money was sent to
  • Your bank statement showing the transfers
  • The acknowledgement number from 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in (opens in new tab)

07Common questions

No. The Prime Minister's public warning said there is no system like digital arrest in the law. Arrest is a physical legal process with safeguards under the BNSS.

Advocates are enrolled with the Bar Council of the state where they practise. That State Bar Council can be contacted with the advocate's name and enrolment number, or the advocate can be reached through contact details found independently rather than the ones in the message.

Not necessarily. Some genuine notices are sent electronically. Checking it first is the usual step. If it is a genuine legal notice, the guide on legal notices explains what usually happens next.

Sometimes. Funds can be frozen if reported quickly, and courts can order release of frozen money. Reporting quickly on 1930 and to the bank gives the best chance.

08Questions to ask an advocate

If you speak to an advocate, these questions can help make the conversation useful.

  • Is this notice or summons genuine, and does it need a response?
  • How can I apply to get frozen money released to me?
  • My own bank account was frozen because of someone else's fraud. What can I do?

09Sources

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This guide is general legal information for India, not legal advice. Laws and procedures change and can differ by state. For advice on your situation, speak to a qualified advocate.

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