Open Access Research Article
DIGITAL ARREST SCAMS AND THE LEGAL VACUUM CHALLENGES FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN THE DIGITAL AGE
Abstract
Digital arrest scams impersonating police, CBI, ED and RBI officials
extorting money from victims threatening to arrest them is increasingly
becoming a challenge for criminal justice system in India. This study analyzes
response to a survey of 55 respondents comprising advocates, law students and
the public to assess their knowledge, perceived sufficiency of the law,
challenges in its enforcement and preventive measures. The results show that
there is high levels of awareness and almost universal recognition of the
seriousness of the scams, but a striking lack of consistency as to whether
existing criminal laws are sufficient. A significant number of respondents,
including legal professionals, were either unaware of or uncertain about any
specific legal provision dealing directly with digital arrest scams,
highlighting a perceived legal void. The key challenges to enforcement
identified included the cross-border nature of cybercrime, lack of technical
resources and expertise, difficulty in identifying offenders and tracking
digital and financial transactions. Stronger cybercrime laws, public awareness
programs and faster freezing and retrieval of fraudulent funds were among the
preferred measures. Victims were mainly considered vulnerable because of
impersonation of government officials, fear of legal action and low awareness
of cybercrime. And the scams seem to be widespread with a lot of respondents
saying they either received suspicious calls themselves from fake government
agencies or know someone who did. The study found high public awareness but a
perceived fragmented and insufficient legal and institutional response. It
recommends dedicated legislation on digital arrest fraud, enhanced inter-agency
and international cooperation, capacity building for law enforcement and
sustained awareness campaigns.
Published Paper
Author Details
Authors: VENKATESAN. DRegistration ID: 1013564 | Published Paper ID: IJLRA13564Approved ISSN: 2582-6433 | Country: Delhi, India
Article Information
DIGITAL ARREST SCAMS AND THE LEGAL VACUUM CHALLENGES FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN THE DIGITAL AGE
Authors: VENKATESAN. D
- Journal IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
- Volume 3
- Issue 8
About Journal
International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis
- AbbreviationIJLRA
- ISSN2582-6433
- AccessOpen Access
- LicenseCC 4.0
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