What is this scam?
Fraudsters pretend to be CBI, police, customs or ED officers on a video call. They say your Aadhaar or a parcel is linked to drugs or money laundering, keep you on camera for hours, and make you transfer money to 'verify' your account. There is no such thing as a digital arrest in Indian law.
What the message looks like (example)
This is Mumbai Cyber Crime. Your Aadhaar is linked to a money laundering case. You are under digital arrest. Do not disconnect the video call or tell anyone. Transfer your savings to the RBI verification account immediately.
🚩 Warning signs
- Video call from 'police/CBI' with uniforms or office background
- They tell you not to tell family and not to cut the call
- They ask you to move money to a 'safe' or 'verification' account
✅ What to do
- Cut the call. Real police never arrest or collect money over video calls.
- Tell a family member right away.