Mumbai Police have recently launched a door-to-door campaign to shield senior citizens from rising digital arrest scam cases in city, officials said on Saturday.

The Cyber Crime Cell of Mumbai Police has launched an awareness campaign to protect senior citizens from falling victim to digital arrest cyber frauds which has been on the rise lately.

According to the police, as part of the campaign, police teams visited 847 senior citizens across Zone 9 of Mumbai Police in western suburbs, educating them about the scam and explaining how to stay safe from such cybercrimes.

Officials from cyber police stations of city, along with 29 senior officers and 69 personnel, personally met residents and distributed pamphlets in Marathi and English, an official said.

“Since Jan, 2025, a total of 128 digital arrest” crimes have been registered in Mumbai, with citizens collectively defrauded of approximately Rs 101 crore in the online fraud cases. Recognising the increasing vulnerability of senior citizens, especially those living alone, the Cyber Crime Cell implemented a dedicated campaign to educate and empower them against such scams,” an official said on Saturday.

Fraudsters posing as police, CBI, ED or RBI officials have been threatening people with fake digital arrest claims and coercing them into transferring money, police said.

This initiative is being carried out under the guidance and leadership Senior police officers including Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharati, Lakhmi Gautam, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Shailesh Balkawade, Addtional Commissioner of Police (Crime), Purushottam Karad, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) and Irfan Sheikh, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime).

Citizens have been urged to remain alert and follow safety measures, said the official.

“They should never accept video calls from unknown persons, never send money to strangers, and remember that no government agency conducts digital arrests. Victims or suspicious call recipients should immediately contact the nearest police station or call the 1930 cyber helpline. The Mumbai Police reiterated that they are committed to ensuring citizens’ digital safety and urged everyone to report cybercrimes promptly via www.cybercrime.gov.in,” an official statement said.

The police have also issued a safety appeal for citizens and tips to keep in mind to avoid falling for a digital arrest scam or a cyber fraud.

To stay safe from digital arrest or other cyber frauds, citizens are urged to follow these key guidelines-

1. No Police/CBI/ED/RBI or any other government agency carries out digital arrest.

2. There is no provision of digital arrest in law.

3. Never accept video calls from unknown person.

4. Don`t make payment on such calls.

5. Observe if there has been a change in mood or behavior of your any family member.

6. Inform your family members and relatives if you are victim of digital arrest.

Source