The Evolution of Digital Arrest Scams and Their Impact on Privacy Rights Guaranteed Under Constitution of India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63682/jns.v14i22S.6106Keywords:
Right to Privacy, Data Protection, Digital Scams, Arrest Fraud, Identity TheftAbstract
In recent years, the emergence of “digital intrusion games” has put personal security and privacy at serious risk. What began as simple phishing emails has evolved into more sophisticated techniques, with scammers now using new technologies to circumvent the law and trick victims into giving up money or confidential information. This study looks at how these scams have evolved – from basic email scams to complex operations that involve data mining, social engineering and even artificial intelligence. The damage goes far beyond economic loss. These fraudulent practices violate privacy on a massive scale, leaving victims vulnerable and confused. Using social media and print media, criminals make claims that blur the line between law enforcement and freedom. The result? Growing distrust of law enforcement agencies and increasing concerns about privacy in the digital age.
Through case studies and current trends, the study also examines the psychology behind victimisation and the wider societal impact of these scams. It examines existing privacy laws and asks whether they are strong enough to deal with these constantly changing threats. Ultimately, the article calls for urgent action – better digitisation and stronger legal protections – to protect privacy in an age where technology is as easy to use as it is to obtain. By empowering citizens and building resilience, we can combat digital exploitation and protect the fundamental right to privacy.
In recent years, the emergence of “digital intrusion games” has put personal security and privacy at serious risk. What began as simple phishing emails has evolved into more sophisticated techniques, with scammers now using new technologies to circumvent the law and trick victims into giving up money or confidential information. This study looks at how these scams have evolved – from basic email scams to complex operations that involve data mining, social engineering and even artificial intelligence. The damage goes far beyond economic loss. These fraudulent practices violate privacy on a massive scale, leaving victims vulnerable and confused. Using social media and print media, criminals make claims that blur the line between law enforcement and freedom. The result? Growing distrust of law enforcement agencies and increasing concerns about privacy in the digital age.
Through case studies and current trends, the study also examines the psychology behind victimisation and the wider societal impact of these scams. It examines existing privacy laws and asks whether they are strong enough to deal with these constantly changing threats. Ultimately, the article calls for urgent action – better digitisation and stronger legal protections – to protect privacy in an age where technology is as easy to use as it is to obtain. By empowering citizens and building resilience, we can combat digital exploitation and protect the fundamental right to privacy.
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References
Kamalanathan, Sharade and Wadhwani, Rakhi R., All You Need to Know About Digital Arrest: A Novel Cybercrime Trend, National Cyber Security Consulting, available at https://nationalcybersecurity.com/all youneed-to-know-about-digital-arrest-a-novel-cybercrime-trend-cybercrime-infosec/ (last visited Nov. 14, 2024). 2 Kamalanathan, Sharade and Wadhwani, Rakhi R., All You Need to Know About Digital Arrest: A Novel Cybercrime Trend, National Cyber Security Consulting, available at https://nationalcybersecurity.com/all-youneed-to-know-about-digital-arrest-a-novel-cybercrime-trend cybercrime-infosec/ (last visited Nov. 14, 2024).
https://digitalprivacy.ieee.org/publications/topics/understanding-privacy-in-the-digital-age
Dixit, Pranav. “Cybercriminals ‘digitally arrest’ Faridabad woman, duper her of ₹ 2.5 lakh”, Business Today, 03 November 2023, available from: https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/cybercriminals-digitally-arrest-faridabad-woman-dupe-her-of-rs-25-lakh-404429-2023-11-03
PTI. “New Scam: Noida Woman ‘Digitally Arrested’, Duped of ₹ 11 Lakh”, NDTV, 02 December 2023, available from: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/new-scam-noida-woman-digitally-arrested-duped-of-rs-11-lakh-4627048
Bhati, Divya. “Woman in Noida falls prey to digital arrest scam, was forced to pay ₹ 3.75 lakh for release”, India Today, 04 March 2024, available from: https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/woman-in-noida-falls-prey-to-digital-arrest-scam-was-forced-to-pay-rs-37-lakh-for-release-2510317-2024-03-04
TNN. “PGI doc duped of ₹2.81 Crore in ‘digi arrest’ scam”, Times of India, 15 August 2024, available from: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/pgi-doctor-scammed-of-281-crore-in-digital-arrest-fraud/articleshow/112536972.cms
Singh, Nandini. “Digital arrest and ₹7 Crore heist: how Vardhman Group head was tricked”, Business Standard, 01 October 2024, available from: https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/digital-arrest-and-rs-7-crore-heist-how-vardhman-group-head-was-tricked-124100100832_1.html
Ojha, Arvind and Himanshu Mishra. “70-year-old retired Delhi engineer duped of Rs 10 crore in digital arrest scam”, India Today, 15 November 2024, available from: https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/delhi/story/delhi-man-retired-engineer-duped-crore-digital-arrest-scam-2633687-2024-11-15
https://www.digitalsamba.com/blog/data-privacy-trends
https://www.osano.com/articles/data-privacy-trends
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=6d91378b-7080-4b73-bba2-063a961b2a16
https://gdpr-info.eu/issues/consent/
In Re: In the matter of tackling the issue of ‘Digital Arrest Scams’, Cyber Crimes and saving the innocent people from losing their money and lives, Rajasthan High Court (2025).
Satender Kumar Antil v. CBI, Miscellaneous Application No. 2034/2022 in MA 1849/2021 in SLP (Crl) No. 5191/2021.
PIB Delhi, Digital Arrest Scam (December 10, 2024), https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2082761.
Digital Arrests: The New Frontier of Cybercrime https://www.msspalert.com/native/digital-arrests-the-new-frontier-ofcybercrime
https://www.pmfias.com/digital-arrest/
Kamalanathan, Sharade and Wadhwani, Rakhi R., All You Need to Know About Digital Arrest: A Novel Cybercrime Trend, National Cyber Security Consulting, available at https://nationalcybersecurity.com/all youneed-to-know-about-digital-arrest-a-novel-cybercrime-trend-cybercrime-infosec/ (last visited Nov. 14, 2024). 2 Kamalanathan, Sharade and Wadhwani, Rakhi R., All You Need to Know About Digital Arrest: A Novel Cybercrime Trend, National Cyber Security Consulting, available at https://nationalcybersecurity.com/all-youneed-to-know-about-digital-arrest-a-novel-cybercrime-trend cybercrime-infosec/ (last visited Nov. 14, 2024).
https://digitalprivacy.ieee.org/publications/topics/understanding-privacy-in-the-digital-age
Dixit, Pranav. “Cybercriminals ‘digitally arrest’ Faridabad woman, duper her of ₹ 2.5 lakh”, Business Today, 03 November 2023, available from: https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/cybercriminals-digitally-arrest-faridabad-woman-dupe-her-of-rs-25-lakh-404429-2023-11-03
PTI. “New Scam: Noida Woman ‘Digitally Arrested’, Duped of ₹ 11 Lakh”, NDTV, 02 December 2023, available from: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/new-scam-noida-woman-digitally-arrested-duped-of-rs-11-lakh-4627048
Bhati, Divya. “Woman in Noida falls prey to digital arrest scam, was forced to pay ₹ 3.75 lakh for release”, India Today, 04 March 2024, available from: https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/woman-in-noida-falls-prey-to-digital-arrest-scam-was-forced-to-pay-rs-37-lakh-for-release-2510317-2024-03-04
TNN. “PGI doc duped of ₹2.81 Crore in ‘digi arrest’ scam”, Times of India, 15 August 2024, available from: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/pgi-doctor-scammed-of-281-crore-in-digital-arrest-fraud/articleshow/112536972.cms
Singh, Nandini. “Digital arrest and ₹7 Crore heist: how Vardhman Group head was tricked”, Business Standard, 01 October 2024, available from: https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/digital-arrest-and-rs-7-crore-heist-how-vardhman-group-head-was-tricked-124100100832_1.html
Ojha, Arvind and Himanshu Mishra. “70-year-old retired Delhi engineer duped of Rs 10 crore in digital arrest scam”, India Today, 15 November 2024, available from: https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/delhi/story/delhi-man-retired-engineer-duped-crore-digital-arrest-scam-2633687-2024-11-15
https://www.digitalsamba.com/blog/data-privacy-trends
https://www.osano.com/articles/data-privacy-trends
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=6d91378b-7080-4b73-bba2-063a961b2a16
https://gdpr-info.eu/issues/consent/
In Re: In the matter of tackling the issue of ‘Digital Arrest Scams’, Cyber Crimes and saving the innocent people from losing their money and lives, Rajasthan High Court (2025).
Satender Kumar Antil v. CBI, Miscellaneous Application No. 2034/2022 in MA 1849/2021 in SLP (Crl) No. 5191/2021.
PIB Delhi, Digital Arrest Scam (December 10, 2024), https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2082761.
Digital Arrests: The New Frontier of Cybercrime https://www.msspalert.com/native/digital-arrests-the-new-frontier-ofcybercrime
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