Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has urged citizens to stay calm when approached by fraudsters posing as police officers, CBI officials or judges, stressing that there is no legal process called a “digital arrest”.
Speaking at a cyber-awareness event in Mumbai on August 26, Fadnavis said criminals are increasingly using video calls, fake identities and threats of arrest to frighten people into transferring money.
He advised anyone who falls victim to cyber fraud to immediately dial 1930, saying the first few minutes after a fraudulent transaction can be crucial for preventing the money from being moved further and improving the chances of recovery.
Fadnavis said scammers frequently claim that a victim’s phone number, bank account or identity has been linked to criminal activity. They may then impersonate police officers, CBI officials or judges and use threats of arrest or legal action to keep victims under pressure.
He cautioned people against being intimidated simply because the caller appears in a police uniform or uses official-looking documents and video calls. Such tactics are designed to create panic and push victims into making quick financial decisions.
The chief minister also warned that artificial intelligence is making cyber fraud harder to detect. Technologies such as voice cloning, deepfakes and AI-generated audio and video can make fake calls and communications appear more convincing.
The warning came as Maharashtra Cyber launched a short film titled “Digital Arrest” and the “1930 Maharashtra Cyber Anthem” to raise awareness about cybercrime. The campaign seeks to use films, social media content and public figures to reach a wider audience.
Fadnavis said greater public awareness is essential as digital payments and online services become increasingly embedded in everyday life.
The key message for citizens is straightforward: no genuine police officer, CBI official or judge can place someone under “digital arrest” through a video call. If money is lost to a cyber scam, report it immediately by calling 1930.
