The Supreme Court on Thursday raised questions about the increase in such digital arrest cyber fraud cases in India saying, “What is the reason that everyone feels that one can be arrested through a mobile call?”
Taking suo motu cognisance of the growing scams, the matter was looking into the hands of a three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, with Joymalya Bagchi, V Mohana sitting as additional judges on the bench.
Court Questions Public Awareness
The Supreme Court was shocked that even the educated people are finding it hard to escape, despite the media coverage, awareness campaigns and interventions by judges in the past, the Chief Justice said.
Chief Justice asked “how can anyone in a democratic country believe they are being arrested for a mobile phone call”.
Senior advocate NS Nappinai, acting on behalf of the court as amicus curiae, told the court that the “digital arrest scam” continued even after the government had been trying to stamp it out. She quoted an instance where a woman lost ₹2.5 crore.
Nappinai also noted that though the Central Government had provided a status report on March 30, cases had still been on the rise.
Fear and psychological pressure
The amicus curiae commented that the threat of arrest caused tremendous mental pressure for victims. Some psychologists say that they experience the same thing as hypnosis, which may account for some individuals succumbing to frauds and knowing about them.
The Chief Justice also cautioned people to check the authenticity of such court orders from the official website of the court and not heed any other information.
The cases also reflect the ongoing issue of “digital arrest fraud,” in which criminals pretend to be law enforcement officers or judges, and then extort victims into sending money.