A digital media operator in Dombivli, Thane, has been booked for allegedly extorting money from bar owners. He threatened to publish fake defamatory news on social media unless paid hush money. One bar manager reported paying Rs 25,000 after being threatened with a defamatory WhatsApp link. Police investigation revealed multiple similar incidents, but no arrest has been made yet.
Haryana has rolled out UPI-based digital payment systems and expanded online OPD pre-registration facilities across 610 public healthcare institutions. This initiative aims to reduce queues, simplify registration, and enhance patient convenience, while still retaining traditional cash and walk-in options for those not using digital methods.
The Supreme Court of India has directed WhatsApp and other intermediaries to propose measures against digital arrest scams and cybercrimes. Simultaneously, the court emphasized that financial institutions, including banks, must be held accountable and compensate victims for losses due to their failure in exercising due diligence. The RBI has been asked to submit a list of authorized financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies are to report on FIRs and suggest prevention strategies.
The Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW) is encouraging pensioners to adopt Digital Life Certificates (DLCs) through face authentication technology. A nationwide campaign is underway to facilitate this process, aiming for digital empowerment and convenience for pensioners, including those in remote areas.
Rajasthan police have made a second arrest in Kochi in connection with a "digital arrest" fraud where a 90-year-old retired judge was defrauded of Rs 2.5 crore. The victim was allegedly kept under digital arrest for 15 days and coerced into transferring money by fraudsters posing as CBI officials and an RBI manager.
The Supreme Court has expressed shock and concern over the increasing number of digital arrest scams, questioning why educated individuals continue to fall victim despite public awareness. The court highlighted a case where a woman lost Rs 2.5 crore and suggested that banks should act as a protective umbrella for customers. It is considering directing banks to compensate victims and face prosecution if fraud occurs due to their negligence, noting that digital arrests have already reduced by 50 per cent after its intervention.
The Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF) has busted an illegal digital telephone exchange in Kashipur, Udham Singh Nagar district, leading to one arrest. The setup, operating as 'NS Enterprise', allegedly bypassed ILD gateways and facilitated automated calls linked to suspected cyber fraud. Investigations are ongoing, with seized equipment being analysed.
The Supreme Court has mandated that banks must be held accountable for losses incurred by digital fraud victims, ensuring compensation of at least the amount lost if the fraud stems from the financial institution's lack of due diligence. The court emphasised that the proposed RBI regulatory framework must include enforceable provisions for compensation, preventive measures, and institutional accountability, moving beyond mere advisories. The CJI stressed the need for banks to use technology like AI to prevent fraud by monitoring unusual transactions and called for stronger accountability clauses against non-compliant banks.
A retired accounts officer in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, was allegedly defrauded of Rs 78 lakh by cyber fraudsters posing as CBI and IB officials. The fraudsters threatened him with 'digital arrest' and money laundering charges, coercing him into transferring funds from his bank accounts and selling property. An FIR has been registered, and police teams are investigating the case.
Latur cyber police have arrested six individuals from Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Gurugram for allegedly defrauding a 66-year-old retired BSNL employee of Rs 28.51 lakh. The fraudsters used a 'digital arrest' tactic, posing as police, ATS, and ED officials, threatening the victim with false money laundering charges and public humiliation to coerce him into transferring funds.
The Supreme Court has ruled that banks must compensate victims of digital fraud, especially in cases like "digital arrests," if the fraud results from the financial institution's failure in due diligence. The court is examining RBI's proposed KYC amendments and stressed the need for a regulatory framework that includes victim compensation and preventive measures. It also highlighted the issue of mule accounts and the need for banks to alert police about suspicious transactions.
The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) has mandated digital payments for retail liquor sales exceeding Rs 1,000, effective November 1. This move aims to enhance transparency, improve operational efficiency, and combat issues like overcharging, safety risks, and counterfeit currency. The new rule will be implemented in phases, with strict measures against violations.
'The smartphone had become my boarding pass, my digital ID, my train ticket repository, my taxi booking tool and my payment instrument,' says Brijesh Haldia
The Enforcement Directorate has made its sixth arrest, Mukesh Kumar Pukhraj Jain, in a pan-India cyber fraud and digital arrest case involving transactions worth Rs 30,000 crore. Jain is accused of acting as an RTGS agent for the criminal network. The probe, initiated by a Goa Police FIR, uncovered a vast money laundering operation across 20 states, with funds converted into foreign currency and linked to numerous shell companies.
Delhi Police have arrested two individuals, Sonu Khan and Arjun Chaudhary, for their alleged involvement in a Rs 2.10-crore digital arrest fraud. The duo operated a mule bank account used to channel illicit funds, with police recovering multiple mobile phones, debit cards, and chequebooks during the arrests.
Hyderabad cybercrime police have arrested two individuals involved in a 'digital arrest fraud' case where an elderly man was duped of Rs 29.17 lakh. The accused facilitated mule bank accounts and cryptocurrency transactions to conceal the money trail for an absconding third accused. The victim was threatened with arrest by fraudsters impersonating officials from Delhi Police, CBI, and ED.
L&T Technology Services (LTTS) has inaugurated an NVIDIA-powered Engineering Intelligence (EI) lab in Bengaluru, designed to showcase AI-native manufacturing, digital twins, and autonomous systems. The facility offers clients a comprehensive view of the manufacturing journey, from virtual validation to autonomous operations, and plans to expand to the US.
A 22-year-old IT professional in Pune allegedly died by suicide, with his family suspecting harassment by cyber fraudsters involved in a digital arrest scam. Police are investigating the case and examining financial transactions.
Two men from Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan have been arrested for allegedly duping a Delhi resident of Rs 6 lakh in a digital arrest cyber fraud. The accused impersonated law enforcement officials, threatened the victim, and induced him to transfer money. Investigations revealed links to multiple other cyber fraud complaints and a Cambodia-linked digital trail.
Delhi Police have arrested 11 individuals involved in multiple "digital-arrest" scams, recovering over Rs 12 crore. The scams, linked to handlers in Southeast Asia, have affected 78 complainants nationwide, totaling Rs 73 crore. A retired scientist was defrauded of Rs 1.25 crore, with the entire amount frozen. The investigation uncovered a network arranging mule bank accounts and using cryptocurrency for commissions.
A man from Kochi has been arrested in connection with a 'digital arrest' scam that defrauded a retired judge in Rajasthan of Rs 2.5 crore. The accused allegedly threatened the judge with false links to hawala transactions and the Pulwama case, leading to his apprehension in a coordinated police operation.
A 62-year-old farmer from Dakshina Kannada district was digitally arrested and duped of Rs 1.31 crore by cybercriminals impersonating Mumbai police and ATS officers. The fraudsters coerced him into transferring money by falsely claiming he was involved in a terror attack. A case has been registered, and investigation is ongoing.
The Delhi Police's Financial Monitoring Cell prevented potential losses of Rs 1.53 crore in "digital arrest" scams across five states. Their Proactive Victim Identification and Protection Team intervened to save multiple victims, including senior citizens, from transferring additional money to fraudsters who impersonated officials and threatened arrest for fabricated crimes.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the state's ambitious shift from mobile phone assembly to advanced microchip manufacturing, data centres, and artificial intelligence. He highlighted significant investments and growth in the digital economy, attributing the transformation to the "double-engine government's" alignment with national initiatives like 'Make in India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. Adityanath also criticised previous administrations for hindering the state's potential.
A businessman from Vrindavan, Ratan Lal Agarwal, was defrauded of Rs 30 lakh in a "digital arrest" scam. A cyber fraudster, posing as an ATS officer, threatened Agarwal with a criminal case linked to his wife's mobile number and kept him under constant surveillance, coercing him into transferring the money. Police have registered a case and frozen part of the scammed amount.
J&K Bank MD and CEO Amitava Chatterjee defended the surcharge on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000, stating it is necessary for the system's long-term sustainability. He also discussed the shift of household savings to mutual funds, the bank's profit growth, and India's consumption-based economy.
India's MSME sector faces a significant formal credit gap of approximately Rs 60 lakh crore, with traditional channels meeting only a fraction of the demand. A new report suggests that a centralised, interoperable digital layer could effectively bridge this gap and enhance productivity across the formal business sector by digitising workflows and enabling cash-flow-based underwriting.
IIIT Hyderabad and measurement technologies firm Hexagon R&D India have collaborated to establish the Hexagon Digital Twin Centre of Excellence (CoE) at the IIIT Hyderabad campus. This CoE will focus on applied research, education, and industry collaboration in computer vision, spatial computing, and AI-powered digital twins, providing access to advanced imaging technology.
Experts laud the decision to impose a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move, along with a dedicated fund for small merchants, is seen as crucial for creating a sustainable digital payments ecosystem, incentivising expansion in rural areas, and funding innovation while keeping most transactions free for users.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) plans for 80% of its new hires to possess digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills, anticipating that the growing share of AI-led work will significantly boost its profit margins.
BJP MP Raghav Chadha addressed the 12th IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, highlighting India's digital transformation journey. He emphasised how technology is widening access and promoting inclusion, citing UPI's success, affordable data, and robust data protection laws. Chadha also discussed India's digital cooperation with Uzbekistan and the importance of digital rights, safety, and skill development for all citizens.
Telecom industry body COAI and the British High Commission signed an MoU to boost cooperation in AI, connectivity, and digital trust, fostering responsible tech innovation. The pact, signed at the CO.AI 2026 event, focused on AI's role in intelligent networks, security, and public services. Discussions highlighted AI's importance in combating fraud, improving network efficiency, and ensuring secure digital services. TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti and Acting British High Commissioner Ben Mellor emphasised the need for balanced governance and international collaboration to ensure secure, inclusive, and responsible digital transformation.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council's October 7 meeting will focus on 'GST 2.0' process reforms, including e-invoicing and input tax credit rules, while also addressing complex issues surrounding the taxation of the digital economy and cryptocurrency.
Mumbai Cyber Police have apprehended six individuals, including an IIT graduate and a bank manager, for allegedly defrauding a senior citizen of Rs 1.12 crore through a "digital arrest" scam. The victim was coerced into transferring funds after being threatened with family arrest by impersonators.
PhonePe has announced a significant expansion plan to deepen digital payment infrastructure across India's towns and villages. This initiative includes hiring over 20,000 sales personnel and deploying more than 50 lakh payment devices, with a strong focus on rural areas, aiming to bring small merchants into the formal financial ecosystem.
A new report, the Digital Credit and Inclusion Index (DCII) 2026, reveals that Tier-2 cities are spearheading digital credit adoption in India. The study, a collaboration between Pahle India Foundation and Amazon Pay, highlights that salaried women are borrowing more than men and that digital credit is primarily used for consumption, with limited productive use.
IIT Madras researchers have developed 'SEANAV', a real-time digital twin platform for autonomous maritime navigation. This platform allows for the testing, validation, and training of autonomous systems in a realistic virtual environment, addressing the challenges of real-world testing. SEANAV aligns with India's Sagarmala Programme and Maritime India Vision 2030, aiming to enhance safety and efficiency at Indian ports and reduce environmental risks.
Competition Commission of India (CCI) chairperson Ravneet Kaur has warned that the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) could intensify anti-competitive practices in digital markets, including self-preferencing, discriminatory pricing, and market manipulation. She highlighted the CCI's ongoing study into AI's impact on competition and stressed the regulator's role in fostering growth while preventing abuse of dominance.
The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has completed a decade since its launch, becoming the backbone of India's digital payments ecosystem. It has seen exponential growth in transaction volume and value, expanding financial inclusion and setting a global benchmark for real-time payments.
PhonePe, at the Global Fintech Fest 2026, unveiled its strategic vision for the next decade, focusing on inclusive digital progress for individuals, households, and businesses across India. The roadmap details innovations in financial inclusion, wealth creation, credit access, and merchant solutions.
