ItemArticle

Digital arrest in the cyber age: a psychological perspective on fear, authority, and consciousness

Title
Digital arrest in the cyber age: a psychological perspective on fear, authority, and consciousness
Creator
Robert, S. James; Singh, Varsha; Pandey, Ravi P.; Bhuyan, Bismirty
Description
Digital arrest is an emerging form of cyber deception wherein cybercriminals impersonate law enforcement or other authorities to falsely claim legal authority to arrest individuals through digital means, often via phone calls or online communication channels. As digital technology increasingly permeates daily life, such deceptive tactics pose serious threats to individuals' security and psychological well-being. This paper proposes a conceptual framework for understanding the phenomenon of digital arrest, differentiating it from other cybercrimes like phishing, vishing, and social engineering. The paper examines the psychological mechanisms underlying such scams, including the exploitation of fear, authority, and urgency, as well as the social implications of digital deception. Ultimately, the paper highlights the necessity for future research to empirically assess and evaluate the effectiveness of preventive measures and strategies aimed at reducing victimization. This conceptual paper aims to raise awareness of digital arrest as a distinct form of cyber threat and contribute to the growing body of literature on digital scams and their psychological consequences. Copyright 2026 Robert, Singh, Pandey and Bhuyan.
Source
Frontiers in Psychology;Volume;17;Issue;;Article No.;1726740;
Date
01-01-2026
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Subject
authority impersonation; compliance; criminology; cyber threat; cybercrime; cybersecurity; digital arrest; digital scam
Coverage
Robert S.J., Department of Psychology, CHRIST University, Karnataka, Bangalore, India; Singh V., Department of Psychology, CHRIST University, Karnataka, Bangalore, India; Pandey R.P., Department of Psychology, Central University of Haryana, Haryana, India; Bhuyan B., Clinical Psychologist (RCI), Stepcare, Bangalore, India
Rights
All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access
Relation
ISSN: 16641078;
Format
online
Language
English
Type
Article

Citation

Robert, S. James; Singh, Varsha; Pandey, Ravi P.; Bhuyan, Bismirty, “Digital arrest in the cyber age: a psychological perspective on fear, authority, and consciousness,” CHRIST (Deemed To Be University) Institutional Repository, accessed June 18, 2026, https://archives.christuniversity.in/items/show/23518.

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