"Digital arrest" calls: no agency arrests anyone over a video call

What happened

A call comes from someone claiming to be from the police, CBI, customs, a courier company or the telecom regulator. They say a parcel in your name contains drugs or fake passports, or that your mobile number has been used in a crime. The call moves to a video chat with a fake "police station" background, and you are told you are under "digital arrest": you must stay on camera, tell no one, and move your savings to a "safe account" for "verification".

Red flags

• Any claim that you are being "arrested" or "interrogated" over a phone or video call.
• Demands for secrecy: "do not tell your family or the bank".
• Pressure to transfer money for "verification", "bail" or a "security deposit".
• Uniforms, official-looking documents or ID cards sent over WhatsApp.

Real agencies do not arrest people on video calls, do not ask for money to close a case, and do not ask you to keep a call secret.

What to do now

1. Disconnect. Do not argue, do not stay on the line, do not click any link they send.
2. Tell a family member or a friend straight away. Scammers depend on isolation.
3. If you have already paid, call 1930 immediately and file a report at cybercrime.gov.in.
4. Report the number on Sanchar Saathi (Chakshu).