India has intensified its efforts to combat digital arrest scams, with WhatsApp banning 9,400 accounts involved in such activities since January 2026. The Ministry of Home Affairs’ Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre detailed these actions in a status report submitted to the Supreme Court.
The report, presented by Attorney General R Venkataramani, outlines a comprehensive approach involving telecom regulators, service providers, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and tech companies. This follows a directive from the Supreme Court on February 9, 2026, to address the rising cases of digital arrests.
Chief Justice Surya Kant’s bench had earlier recognized the growing threat of online fraud, leading to a coordinated response among various agencies. A key element of this response is a framework for compensating victims of digital arrest scams, developed in collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications and other stakeholders.
WhatsApp’s investigation, initiated in January 2026, targeted networks involved in these scams by employing advanced methodologies. The company is also implementing new security features, such as logo detection and alerts for calls from suspicious accounts, to protect users.
The Department of Telecommunications and telecom service providers have committed to swiftly neutralizing fraudulent SIM cards, aiming to block them within 2 to 3 hours of identification. This is part of a broader initiative to deploy a Biometric Identity Verification System by December 2026.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is actively pursuing cases exceeding a ₹10 crore loss threshold, including significant frauds in Gujarat and Delhi. Additionally, the RBI has established procedures to temporarily hold suspicious transactions to prevent money mule activities.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Home Affairs is urging the Supreme Court to ensure compliance with the Inter-Departmental Committee’s recommendations, including the implementation of SIM-binding mechanisms and the Biometric Identity Verification System.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, April 28, 2026
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
