New Delhi: The Central Government has informed the Supreme Court of India that linking messaging accounts to verified SIM cards could help prevent the growing menace of digital arrest scams across the country.
During the hearing of a case related to cyber fraud, the Centre said that steps are being considered to ensure stronger verification for accounts on platforms such as WhatsApp. The government clarified that it is working on regulatory measures and that this is not a voluntary move by the platform itself.
Digital arrest scams have become a serious concern in India. In these cases, fraudsters pose as police officers or government officials and falsely tell victims that they are under investigation or arrest. The scammers then pressure people to transfer money to avoid legal trouble. Many elderly and vulnerable citizens have lost large sums of money through such schemes.
The government told the court that linking messaging accounts with active and verified SIM cards could make it more difficult for criminals to misuse fake or untraceable numbers. The proposal is being examined in coordination with the Department of Telecommunications and other concerned agencies.
The Centre has also formed an inter ministerial committee to tackle digital fraud more effectively. The panel includes officials from the Reserve Bank of India, the Ministry of Home Affairs and other departments. The aim is to improve coordination between telecom authorities, banks and law enforcement agencies.
The Supreme Court has asked banks to remain alert and identify suspicious transactions linked to such scams. Financial institutions have been advised to quickly notify customers if unusual withdrawals are detected.
The government said it is committed to strengthening cyber security systems and protecting citizens from online fraud. However, the final decision on mandatory SIM linking will depend on further discussions and court proceedings.
The matter is expected to be taken up again in the coming weeks as authorities continue to explore ways to curb digital arrest scams across the country.