Mumbai Police Launch Awareness Drive to Protect Seniors from ‘Digital Arrest’ Scams

In response to the alarming rise in cyber fraud targeting the elderly, the Mumbai Police have launched a citywide campaign to educate senior citizens about the dangers of so-called “digital arrest” scams. The initiative, which includes door-to-door visits, interactive awareness sessions, and the distribution of pamphlets in English and Marathi, aims to equip seniors with the knowledge to identify and avoid such frauds.

Over the past two years, Mumbai has witnessed a surge in cybercrime cases involving senior citizens. Scammers, often impersonating senior police officers or officials from central agencies like the CBI, Enforcement Directorate (ED), or Reserve Bank of India (RBI), contact victims and accuse them of being involved in money laundering or criminal activities.

In several cases, the victims were coerced into staying on video calls for extended periods — sometimes days — as fraudsters conducted fake online “court hearings.” Under the guise of “verification” or “investigation,” the victims were then manipulated into transferring large sums of money to multiple bank accounts.

According to police data, the city has already recorded 128 such cases in 2025 alone, with total losses estimated at ₹101 crore.

Recognising the urgency of the situation, the Cyber Crime Branch has launched a comprehensive outreach programme starting in Zone 9, which covers Mumbai’s western suburbs. Nearly 100 police personnel, including senior officers from five regional cyber police stations, have reached out to 847 senior citizens so far.

During these sessions, officers stressed that no law permits “digital arrests” and no legitimate government agency ever demands money or video calls from citizens. Seniors have been urged to report any suspicious calls immediately by dialling the Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930.

Educational pamphlets detailing common scam tactics and practical safety tips have been distributed widely as part of the campaign.

Recent incidents have highlighted the severity of the problem. In one shocking case, a 72-year-old businessman from Mumbai lost ₹58 crore after being duped by conmen posing as law enforcement officials. In another, a retired banker and his wife were forced to stay on a video call for three days and coerced into transferring ₹50.5 lakh.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) Purushottam Karad said the campaign has been well-received by the elderly community. “Our goal is to ensure that no senior citizen falls prey to such scams. We are committed to safeguarding citizens through constant awareness and community participation,” he said.

The initiative is being carried out under the supervision of Commissioner of Police Deven Bharati, Joint Commissioner (Crime) Lakhmi Gautam, and the cyber crime team.

With the growing prevalence of digital fraud, Mumbai Police have reiterated their commitment to proactive public engagement and continuous vigilance to protect vulnerable citizens in the digital age.