Fake Police or CBI Call: What to Do
No police officer, CBI, ED, customs or TRAI official arrests you on a video call or asks you to transfer money. Cut, verify, tell family, report.
5 signs5 Signs of a Fake Police or CBI Call
They ask for money
'Security deposit', 'verification', 'settlement', 'bail'. No police officer or court collects money by UPI or transfer on a call.
They keep you on video
'You are under digital arrest, do not disconnect.' There is no such thing as digital arrest in Indian law.
They demand secrecy
'Do not tell your family, this is a confidential case.' Real investigations never forbid you from talking to your family or a lawyer.
A parcel, a SIM or Aadhaar 'misuse'
'Drugs found in your courier', 'your SIM will be blocked by TRAI', 'your Aadhaar is linked to money laundering'.
Uniform, ID card and court order on WhatsApp
A fake police station set behind them, forged warrants with seals. Looking official is the trick.
Step by stepWhat to Do on a Fake Police Call: 5 Steps
- 1
📵 Cut the call
You are never legally bound to stay on a phone or video call. Disconnect, and do not call back the same number.
- 2
🔎 Verify on your own
Find the police station's number on the official State police website or dial 112, and ask whether any case or notice exists in your name. A real notice under Section 35(3) BNSS asks you to appear in person; a court summons comes from the court. Neither asks for money.
- 3
👨👩👧 Tell your family
Scammers win by isolating you. Telling one person usually ends the scam.
- 4
🛡️ Report the number on Chakshu
On sancharsaathi.gov.in → Chakshu, report the number, WhatsApp account or SMS. The Department of Telecommunications can disconnect the number and its linked handsets.
- 5
☎️ Paid already? 1930 and the portal
Call 1930 at once and file on cybercrime.gov.in. See how to get UPI fraud money back and our digital arrest guide.
Real vs fakeReal Police Notice vs Scam Call
| Real police / court | Scam caller | |
|---|---|---|
| How you are contacted | Written notice or summons, served in person or by the court's electronic process | WhatsApp or Skype video call, often from a +91 look-alike or unknown number |
| What they ask | To appear at a police station or court on a date | Money transfer, OTP, bank details, staying on camera |
| Arrest | Only in person, with grounds told and family informed, and production before a Magistrate within 24 hours | 'Digital arrest', which does not exist |
| Secrecy | You may consult a lawyer and tell your family | 'Tell no one' |
The lawSection 204 BNS and Section 66D IT Act
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Section 204. Personating a public servant. Whoever pretends to hold any particular office as a public servant, knowing that he does not hold such office or falsely personates any other person holding such office, and in such assumed character does or attempts to do any act under colour of such office, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to three years and with fine.
Information Technology Act, 2000 · Section 66D. Whoever, by means of any communication device or computer resource cheats by personation, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine which may extend to one lakh rupees.
Pretending to be a police officer is itself a crime, with a minimum of six months in jail under Section 204 BNS. Doing it over a phone or video call to cheat someone is also an offence under Section 66D of the IT Act. The caller is the criminal, not you.
🏠 Everyday analogy
A real doctor never asks for the fee before telling you what is wrong over a WhatsApp video call. A real officer never asks for money to 'clear your name'.
🇮🇳 Real Indian example
Suppose a 'CBI officer' tells a retired teacher that a parcel with drugs was booked in her name and asks for ₹5 lakh to 'verify' her accounts. She cuts the call, dials 112, learns there is no case, and reports the number on Chakshu.
ConstitutionArrest, Liberty and the Constitution
Article 22: Protection on arrest
A real arrest means being told the grounds, the right to a lawyer and production before a Magistrate within 24 hours. A video call can do none of this.
Article 21: Personal liberty
No one can be deprived of liberty except by procedure established by law; being held on camera by threats is not a legal procedure.
Practice MCQTest Yourself: Scam Calls
Which section of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 punishes personating a public servant with a minimum of six months' imprisonment?
Doubts ClearedFrequently Asked Questions
Can police arrest someone on a video call?
No. Arrest needs physical custody, telling the grounds, informing family and production before a Magistrate within 24 hours. 'Digital arrest' is a scam.
How do I check if a police notice is real?
Call the police station named, using the number on the official State police website, or dial 112. A real notice asks you to appear; it never asks for money.
Where do I report a fake call number?
On Chakshu at sancharsaathi.gov.in. If you lost money, call 1930 and file on cybercrime.gov.in.
Is pretending to be a police officer a crime?
Yes. Section 204 BNS: 6 months to 3 years and fine. Cheating by personation over a phone or computer also attracts Section 66D IT Act.
Sources and further readingSources We Checked
Facts checked on 23 October 2026 against the BNS 2023, BNSS 2023 and IT Act 2000 on India Code, and the Sanchar Saathi and cybercrime.gov.in portals.