WhatsApp has banned over 9,400 accounts involved in digital arrest scams since January this year, the Centre informed the Supreme Court in a fresh status report. The report, filed through Attorney General R Venkataramani, detailed the enforcement actions taken by the tech giant in the last 12 weeks.
Background of the Scam
Digital arrest scams involve fraudsters posing as law enforcement officials and threatening victims with arrest unless they pay a fine. These scams have become increasingly prevalent, prompting regulatory scrutiny.
WhatsApp's Actions
According to the status report, WhatsApp identified and banned 9,400 accounts linked to such scams since January. The company has also implemented additional safety measures to prevent similar abuses.
The report highlights the collaboration between the government and WhatsApp to curb cyber fraud. The Supreme Court had earlier sought a detailed response on steps taken to tackle digital arrest scams.
- 9,400 accounts banned since January 2026
- Enforcement actions taken over 12 weeks
- Additional safety measures implemented
The development comes amid growing concerns over cybercrime in India. The government has urged social media platforms to strengthen their grievance redressal mechanisms.
