The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched an AI-based helpbot called “Abhay” for authentication of CBI notices, a system designed to protect the citizens from the growing menace of cyber fraud and digital arrest scams.

“Cyber-enabled fraud has emerged as a serious challenge confronting India’s criminal justice system. The rapid advancement of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and deep fakes has made it increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens to distinguish between what is real and what is fabricated,” said the agency.

In the “Digital Arrest” scam, fraudulent notices are used to trap prospective victims. “Once the victim is deceived into compliance, fraudsters initiate a sham legal process, keeping the victim under surveillance for days under the guise of a ‘digital arrest’, a concept that has no legal existence in Indian law,” the CBI said.

“Citizens can access ‘Abhay’ at any time through the CBI’s official website www.cbi.gov.in,” it added.