Authorities warn citizens of forged legal notices being used to force payments under threat of arrest

Jaipur- October 27, 2025

The Rajasthan Police’s Cyber Crime branch has issued a statewide alert advising citizens to be on guard against an extortion scam that uses fake court summons and warrants. Fraudsters are impersonating judicial and police officials, delivering counterfeit legal documents via WhatsApp and email, then coercing victims into paying — or face arrest.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Cyber Crime), Vikas Sharma, commented that the scam has grown more sophisticated. According to the alert, criminals are using forged court stamps, fabricated case numbers and doctored digital signatures to make the notices appear credible. They then follow up with threats and deadlines for payment of “bail” or “case cancellation” fees.

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How the Scam Works and Why It’s Dangerous

The modus operandi as described by the police involves the following pattern:

• Targets receive a message or email with a legal-looking document — usually a summons or warrant — alleging their involvement in serious charges like money-laundering or human-trafficking.
• The document appears to originate from a legitimate court, complete with official seal, case number and signature.
• The victim is instructed to follow a link or send payment immediately to avoid arrest or prosecution.
• Communication is often aggressive, time-sensitive and framed as non-negotiable, building fear and urgency.
• Payments are demanded to unfamiliar bank accounts or via UPI, making recovery difficult once funds are transferred.

The risk is significant. Victims under pressure may transfer money in panic, believing they have no way out. The official alert emphasises that courts and police do not demand payments through such informal channels or bypass open legal process.

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Scale and Response

Officers revealed that multiple reports from across Rajasthan have triggered the alert. While exact numbers were not disclosed, cyber units say that victims span all demographics — from salaried professionals to senior citizens. The cross-section of targets indicates the scam is indiscriminate.

The Rajasthan Police have urged citizens to verify any court document they receive by contacting the issuing court or local police station. They also highlight tools such as the national cyber-crime portal (cybercrime.gov.in) and the 24/7 helpline 1930. Dedicated WhatsApp helpline numbers 9256001930 and 9257510100 have also been publicised for immediate reporting.

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Why This Fraud Trend is Accelerating

Experts point to several factors driving the rise of fake court-summons scams:

• Digital communication has made it easier for scammers to create convincing documents and disseminate them quickly.
• Fear of legal consequences is a powerful motivator; many victims simply comply because they believe they face arrest.
• Low cost and high reward for criminals — a single successful scare-transfer can net substantial funds.
• Lack of awareness among recipients about how legal processes typically function, which makes the impersonation credible.

Dr Nisha Menon, a cyber-law researcher, notes: “When a notice arrives claiming arrest or case registration, many don’t pause to verify. That’s precisely what the scammers exploit.”

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Practical Advice: What Citizens Should Do

The Rajasthan Police alert includes a set of actionable safeguards:

• Do not click on links or download attachments from unsolicited WhatsApp messages or emails claiming to be court notices.
• Hang up and verify — call the court or police station listed on the summons using an official number found independently, not one provided in the message.
• Never transfer money to avoid arrest or prosecution without confirming the legitimacy of the claim. Legitimate legal bodies will not demand immediate payment through random bank accounts.
• Report the incident immediately — to your local cyber police station, via the national portal or the helpline numbers given above. Early reporting increases chances of tracking funds.
• Educate vulnerable contacts — elderly relatives, non-tech-savvy individuals and small-business owners are often target groups.

These steps may seem simple, but they can prevent substantial financial loss. The police insist that raising awareness is the strongest defence against this fraud wave.

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Broader Implications and What to Monitor

While the alert is local to Rajasthan, the phenomenon of fake legal-notice scams is nationwide and growing. The Supreme Court of India recently took suo-motu cognisance of “digital arrest” cases where forged court-orders were used to extort victims.

For the public: this isn’t just about one scam in one state. Fraudsters are testing jurisdictional divides, targeting multiple states. Law enforcement agencies must collaborate across borders to trace mule-accounts, block financial transfers and dismantle networks. The issuance of QR-coded official summons by the Enforcement Directorate shows government recognition of the problem.

On the policy front, the incident underscores the urgency of strengthening digital judicial-notice authentication, public awareness campaigns and streamlined channels for rapid reporting and recovery.

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