WhatsApp bans 9400 accounts linked to digital arrest scams Centre informs Supreme Court

Government outlines multi-agency crackdown as new safeguards and SIM monitoring measures planned

New Delhi- The Centre has informed the Supreme Court of India that over 9,400 accounts linked to digital arrest scams have been blocked by WhatsApp since January this year as part of a coordinated crackdown on cyber fraud.

The action forms part of a broader strategy involving multiple agencies, including the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, the Central Bureau of Investigation, telecom regulators, and financial institutions to tackle the growing threat of online scams posing as law enforcement.

According to a status report submitted to the court, WhatsApp conducted a focused investigation targeting networks involved in such scams. Authorities said the operation involved identifying suspicious patterns, mapping networks, and taking enforcement action against entire groups involved in fraudulent activities.

The court, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, had earlier taken suo motu cognisance of rising cyber fraud cases and directed key institutions to frame a response mechanism.

Officials said new safety features are being rolled out by WhatsApp to protect users. These include identifying and removing accounts that misuse official logos of police or government agencies, and introducing alerts for calls from newly created or suspicious accounts. Another proposed feature will hide profile pictures of unknown callers flagged as potentially risky.

On the telecom front, the Department of Telecommunications and service providers are working on a system to block suspicious SIM cards within two to three hours of detection. A nationwide biometric identity verification system for SIM issuance is also under development, expected to be implemented by December 2026.

The Reserve Bank of India has also issued guidelines to banks to temporarily freeze suspicious transactions in order to curb financial fraud linked to such scams.

Authorities further stated that the CBI has set a threshold of ₹10 crore for taking over digital arrest-related cases and has already begun investigating major fraud incidents across states.

The Centre has urged the court to take the report on record and issue directions for faster implementation of these measures, including stricter telecom regulations and enhanced cooperation among stakeholders.