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WhatsApp Disables 9,400 Accounts Linked to Digital Arrest Scams, Govt Tells Supreme Court
The company said its broader probe found coordinated fraud networks, with only 17 of about 3,800 flagged accounts tied directly to digital arrest scams.
- On Tuesday, the Union government told the Supreme Court that WhatsApp has banned 9,400 accounts in India since January 2026 linked to digital arrest scams.
- Most scam operations targeting Indian users originate from Southeast Asia, particularly Cambodia, utilizing coordinated clusters of accounts to impersonate law enforcement and judicial officials.
- Although authorities initially flagged 3,800 accounts, only 17 related specifically to digital arrest scams; WhatsApp's broader investigation mapped entire networks, leading to the 9,400 bans.
- Following directions from the CJI-led bench, the CBI is already probing the nationwide scam after a senior citizen reported being cheated of ₹1.5 crore.
- Incorporating detection findings into proactive systems accelerates identification, Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre officials stated, as the proceedings continue to monitor systemic measures to prevent future scams.
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WhatsApp has banned 9,400 accounts linked to ‘digital arrest’ scams, Centre tells SC
Messaging platform WhatsApp has banned 9,400 accounts linked to “digital arrest” scams following an investigation launched in January, Live Law quoted a status report filed by the Union government before the Supreme Court as saying.The Ministry of Home Affairs informed the court that the action was part of a coordinated effort involving multiple agencies to address the problem of impersonation-based cyber fraud.WhatsApp stated that its investiga…
·India
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WhatsApp blocks 9,400 accounts linked to ‘Digital Arrest’ scams; AG informs Supreme Court
The Attorney General for India, R. Venkataramani, has informed the Supreme Court that messaging platform WhatsApp has blocked around 9,400 accounts in 2026 that were being used for so-called “digital arrest” scams to extort money from victims.
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Total News Sources25
Leaning Left4Leaning Right3Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Left
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Left
45% Left
L 45%
C 22%
R 33%
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