Fraudsters are increasingly deploying a frightening new tactic called the “digital arrest” scam, and expatriates living in the UAE with financial or identity ties to India are now being flagged as high‑risk targets.
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Fraudsters are increasingly deploying a frightening new tactic called the “digital arrest” scam, and expatriates living in the UAE with financial or identity ties to India are now being flagged as high‑risk targets.
Fraudsters are increasingly deploying a frightening new tactic called the “digital arrest” scam, and expatriates living in the UAE with financial or identity ties to India are now being flagged as high‑risk targets. India’s Supreme Court has already raised alarm at losses nearing ₹30 billion to these schemes and emphasised that ignoring the trend will only allow the problem to escalate further.
In a typical scenario, a person receives a phone or video call from someone posing as a police officer, tax official or judge. The scammer claims the victim’s bank account, Aadhaar identity or property is linked to money‑laundering, tax evasion or serious criminal activity and orders immediate payment to avoid arrest. One of the most chilling elements: victims are told to stay under surveillance via video call, unable to seek outside advice while being pressured to transfer large sums.
While most victims so far are in India, cyber‑crime investigators warn that non‑resident Indians (NRIs) living in the Gulf region—including those based in the UAE—are increasingly vulnerable. These fraudsters exploit data leaks and public profiles to craft convincing impersonation attacks. A Dubai‑based professional might receive a video call demanding payment after being told that a bank account linked to his Indian property is involved in an “IT violation,” for example.
For UAE‑based NRIs with India‑linked bank accounts, investments or property, the threat is real. Funds sent via UPI, RTGS, crypto or online transfer are nearly impossible to recover once cleared. Moreover, when the crime skirts national boundaries, tracing money or holding perpetrators accountable becomes highly complex.
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