The National Human Rights Commission organised an Open House Discussion on safeguarding human rights against digital arrest scams in New Delhi yesterday.

 

Chairing the discussion, NHRC Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian expressed concern over the growing threat posed by cyber-enabled frauds and highlighted their serious impact on the rights, dignity and security of citizens. Justice Ramasubramanian said that Indians have reportedly lost over 52 thousand 900 crore rupees to cyber-enabled frauds during the past six years, with nearly eight per cent of the losses linked to digital arrest scams. He stressed the need for practical measures to prevent such crimes, improve recovery mechanisms for victims and strengthen law enforcement responses.

 

During the discussions, a key recommendation emerging from the deliberations was the proposal to recognise digital arrest scams as a distinct offence under the existing legal framework. Participants also suggested stronger safeguards against mule accounts, faster victim compensation and recovery mechanisms, enhanced regulation of digital communication platforms, greater accountability across the digital ecosystem and stronger international cooperation to combat transnational cybercrime networks.