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Supreme Court orders nationwide CBI probe into digital arrest scams

Supreme Court Directs CBI to Investigate Digital Arrest Scams

The Supreme Court of India has taken a significant step in addressing the rising concerns of digital arrest scams. In a suo motu matter, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate cases involving digital arrest scams.

CBI Investigation: The CBI has been asked to focus on cases directly linked to digital arrest scams, with other cybercrime matters to be examined in later phases.
Authority to Probe Bankers: The court has granted the CBI authority to probe the involvement of bankers under the Prevention of Corruption Act, particularly in instances where bank accounts are created for digital arrest scams.
RBI's Role: The Reserve Bank of India has been impleaded and asked to provide insights on the AI and machine learning systems employed to detect fraudulent accounts.
Cooperation from IT Service Providers: The bench has instructed IT service providers to extend full cooperation to investigators and furnish content data when requested.
Nationwide Investigation: States such as Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and Haryana have been asked to provide consent for a nationwide investigation by the CBI.
Model Protocol for Telecom Network Misuse: The bench has directed that a model protocol be drafted to curb telecom network misuse, highlighting concerns over the “large and alarming” issuance of multiple SIM cards under the same name.
Efficient Cybercrime Units: All states and Union Territories have been asked to ensure the efficient functioning of regional cybercrime units and report any challenges to the court.

The Supreme Court's directive is a significant step towards addressing the rising concerns of digital arrest scams and ensuring the safety and security of citizens in the digital age.