Emergency ‘Kill Switch’ Coming to Bank and UPI Apps: One Click to Stop Fraud, Curb Digital Arrest Scams

In a major move to combat rising cases of cyber fraud and so-called “digital arrest” scams, the Government of India is preparing to introduce an emergency button—also known as a kill switch—within bank and UPI apps. This feature will allow users to instantly freeze their accounts the moment they suspect fraud, potentially saving hard-earned money in critical minutes.

Government’s Big Push Against Cybercrime

With cybercriminals becoming increasingly sophisticated, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has constituted a high-level committee to strengthen India’s digital banking and payment ecosystem. The proposed emergency button will be integrated directly into banking and UPI applications, giving users immediate control in case of suspected fraud.

The primary objective of this feature is to prevent scammers from quickly transferring money across multiple accounts—a common tactic used to make stolen funds untraceable.

How the Emergency Button Will Work

The emergency or kill switch will function as a real-time account freeze mechanism. As soon as a user senses that they are being scammed, they can tap the button within their bank or UPI app. Once activated, all outgoing transactions from the account will stop instantly, preventing funds from reaching fraudsters.

The high-level committee working on this initiative includes representatives from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), cyber experts from Delhi Police, and senior officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Crackdown on Mule and Fake Accounts

Cybercriminals often rely on mule accounts—rented or fake bank accounts—to rapidly move stolen money. To counter this, the committee is also exploring a real-time detection system that can flag and block suspicious transactions before funds reach such accounts.

Additionally, the government is considering the creation of a shared insurance fund to help compensate victims of cyber fraud, offering financial relief to those who fall prey to digital scams.

A Weapon Against ‘Digital Arrest’ Scams

Cases of “digital arrest,” where scammers impersonate law enforcement or government officials to intimidate victims into transferring money, have surged in recent months. Many people have lost their life savings to such schemes.

The government believes that fighting cybercrime requires a three-pronged approach—technology, strong legal frameworks, and public awareness. The emergency button is expected to empower users at the most crucial moment, when quick action can make all the difference.

What Lies Ahead

According to reports, the high-level committee is expected to finalize its recommendations soon. Once implemented, the emergency kill switch could prove to be a game-changer in India’s fight against cyber fraud, putting real power back into the hands of users and helping protect millions from digital financial crimes.