Digital Arrest Scam via AI Calls — How to Identify & Stay Safe

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated May 09, 2026

Severity: CRITICAL | View Full Scam Details

Digital Arrest Scam via AI Video Calls in India 2026: Beware of UPI, WhatsApp & OTP Frauds

A dangerous new scam using AI-generated video calls is fooling Indians by falsely accusing them of crimes and stealing money through UPI and OTP manipulation.

What Is the Digital Arrest Scam via AI Calls?

The Digital Arrest Scam via AI calls is a sophisticated cybercrime where fraudsters use artificial intelligence to create realistic video calls, impersonating police officers or government officials. Victims receive an unexpected AI-generated video call accusing them of being involved in illegal activities, often demanding immediate payment via UPI to avoid arrest or legal trouble. These calls are highly convincing because the AI replicates real police uniforms, accents, and contextual details, tricking even tech-savvy users.

This scam primarily targets everyday Indian internet users, especially those active on WhatsApp and familiar with UPI-based payments. Frauds have rapidly spread across metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and tier-2 towns due to increased smartphone penetration and reliance on digital payments.

India’s cyber authorities, including CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) and the I4C (Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre), have issued warnings about this scam. RBI has also alerted the public to be cautious of UPI payment requests tied to threats or blackmail, emphasizing that banks and police will never demand payments via UPI or OTP.

How This Scam Works — Step by Step

1. Initial AI Video Call: The victim receives a WhatsApp call or a link prompting an urgent video call. When they answer, an AI-generated “police officer” appears, claiming the victim is under investigation for fraud or criminal activity.

2. Threatening Message: The imposter warns the victim of imminent arrest and legal actions unless they pay a penalty immediately to “clear” their name. They may display fake documents or case numbers to appear legitimate.

3. Demand for UPI Payment: The fraudster instructs the victim to share their UPI handle or to authorize a UPI transaction by entering an OTP received on their phone. The victim is pressured with threats and time limits.

4. Use of OTP to Authorize Fraud: When the victim inputs the OTP, the scammers use it to transfer money out of the victim’s bank account instantly, often in multiple small transactions to avoid alerts.

5. Continuation and Follow-Up: Sometimes, victims receive follow-up messages pretending to be more officials to keep the scam alive, or are pushed to share Aadhaar-linked details or SIM info, risking further identity theft.

Real Warning Signs to Watch For

• Unsolicited urgent calls demanding immediate payment — genuine authorities never ask for money via WhatsApp or UPI instantly.
• Requests for UPI OTP sharing or password confirmation during a call.
• Fake video or audio that looks like official police but comes through WhatsApp or unknown links.
• Pressure tactics with threats, arrest warnings, or fake case numbers.
• Grammar and pronunciation may be slightly off despite good video quality.
• Caller refuses to connect you to any official helpline number or provide physical address details.
• Payment requests to personal UPI IDs instead of official government accounts.

What Happens to Victims

Victims experience both financial loss and emotional trauma. The scam depletes hard-earned savings through unauthorised UPI transactions with no guaranteed reversal, as RBI’s current system requires victims to report immediately but does not guarantee full recovery once OTP is compromised.

Furthermore, sharing Aadhaar or SIM details during the scam can lead to identity theft, SIM swapping, and further fraud such as bank account takeovers. The fear of legal consequences and shaming adds mental stress, especially when victims are unsure whom to trust or report to.

What RBI and CERT-In Say

RBI explicitly warns that no government or bank authority will demand payments via UPI or WhatsApp calls, especially with OTPs. The central bank advises users to never share their OTP with anyone.

CERT-In highlights such AI-driven scams as a growing risk, urging users to verify calls and report suspicious ones without delay.

If targeted, victims should contact:

• RBI Helpline for UPI issues: 1800 11 6655
• National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930 (operated by I4C)
• CERT-In for reporting cyber incidents online

Both RBI and CERT-In recommend updating phone security, avoiding clicking unknown links, and being skeptical of urgent payment demands.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Never share your UPI PIN or OTP with anyone, even if they claim to be police or bank officials.
2. Ignore unsolicited video calls or WhatsApp links, especially from unknown numbers.
3. Verify any suspicious call by directly contacting local police station or bank official numbers.
4. Do not make any payments based on threats or urgent claims without proof.
5. Use official UPI apps with biometric or PIN locks for added security.
6. Register for ‘Do Not Disturb’ services to block scam calls and messages.
7. Inform family and friends about this scam so they can stay alert.

What to Do If You’ve Been Targeted

1. Immediately block the scammer’s number and stop responding to messages or calls.
2. Report the fraud to your bank’s customer service. Request freezing or blocking of your UPI and bank accounts if needed.
3. Change all your UPI, bank, and mobile passwords immediately.
4. File a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at cybercrime.gov.in.
5. Call the 1930 cybercrime helpline and provide all details.
6. If Aadhaar or SIM information was shared, visit your nearest Aadhaar center to lock biometrics and request your mobile operator to check for SIM swaps.
7. Inform local police for a formal FIR if significant amounts were lost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can the police arrest me over a WhatsApp AI video call?
No, Indian police or government authorities never arrest or demand payments through WhatsApp video calls or UPI. All official communications happen via in-person visits or official letters.

Q: What should I do if I receive an AI video call accusing me of a crime?
Stay calm and do not share any OTP, passwords, or personal data. Verify the call by contacting your local police station or bank directly using official numbers. Do not make any payments.

Q: Is it possible to get money back if I paid scamsters via UPI?
Recovering funds is very challenging once the OTP is shared. Contact your bank immediately to block transactions and file a complaint. You can also report the incident to RBI and cybercrime authorities for assistance and investigation.

Stay vigilant and verify any suspicious calls or messages before taking action. For free, expert help verifying suspicious calls, UPI requests, or WhatsApp messages, visit BharatSecure.app — India’s trusted platform against digital fraud.