Major Crackdown on ‘Digital Arrest’ Scams: WhatsApp Bans 9,400 Accounts as Govt Tightens Action

India intensifies crackdown on digital arrest scams as WhatsApp bans 9,400 accounts. Government agencies, RBI, CBI, and telecom operators collaborate with new security measures like SIM verification and transaction monitoring to protect users from cyber fraud.

Post Published By: Karan Sharma

Updated : 28 April 2026, 4:16 PM IST

WhatsApp to Implement Enhanced Safety Features Amid Digital Arrest Scam Concerns

New Delhi: The government has taken a significant step to curb the rising "digital arrest" scams across the country. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre has submitted a status report to the Supreme Court, detailing the joint actions undertaken by various agencies.

WhatsApp Takes Major Action

Over the past 12 weeks, WhatsApp has banned 9,400 accounts found to be involved in such fraudulent activities. Additionally, new security features are being introduced, including:

• Identification of suspicious accounts
• Removal of profiles displaying fake police or government logos
• Issuing warnings regarding new or suspicious callers

Supreme Court Takes a Firm Stand

The Supreme Court of India had taken suo motu (on its own) cognizance of this matter. The bench is led by Justice Surya Kant, who has directed the RBI and the Department of Telecommunications to collaborate on formulating a concrete solution.

RBI and Banking System Preparedness

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has formulated a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for banks. Under this protocol, suspicious transactions will be immediately halted to prevent the fraudulent funds from being transferred further.

Strict Surveillance on SIM Cards

The Department of Telecommunications and telecom companies are now working towards blocking suspicious SIM cards within 2–3 hours.

Furthermore, a Biometric Identity Verification System (BIVS) will be implemented to ensure strict oversight regarding the issuance of SIM cards.

The Role of the CBI

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will now investigate major cases of fraud. The CBI will take charge of cases involving fraud amounting to over ₹10 crore.

New Security System: SIM Binding

WhatsApp may soon introduce a "SIM-binding" feature. This feature will require the presence of an active and KYC-verified SIM card in the phone; otherwise, the application will not function. This will curb fake accounts.

The government, tech companies, and agencies are jointly fighting a major battle against digital fraud. New regulations and technology are expected to significantly curb such scams in the future.