State Govt Sanctions Rs 4 Crore for Digital ID Cards to Curb Police ID Misuse in Online Impersonation Scams
In a move to tackle rising cases of cyber fraud involving impersonation of police personnel, the state government has sanctioned Rs 4 crore for the procurement of digital ID cards for 51,308 personnel and staffers of the city police.
According to sources in the Home Department, police currently use physical ID cards, which are vulnerable to forgery. There has been a spike in cybercrimes where fraudsters misuse police identities—particularly in “digital arrest” scams. To counter this, the government will introduce smart ID cards embedded with advanced security features such as QR codes and holograms, making duplication nearly impossible.
A new mobile application—set to be developed by Mumbai Police—will allow citizens to instantly verify the credentials of police officers. If contacted via video call, a tactic often used by fraudsters, individuals can request the officer’s digital ID and confirm its authenticity through the app. Each ID will include the officer’s photograph and essential service details, and the app will display real-time verification results, including current service status.
Use of digital ID cards will be mandatory for all police personnel—whether in uniform or plainclothes—during public interactions, investigations, and home visits, sources said.
The government resolution also stated that the tender process for selecting a tech provider will prioritize firms with proven experience in secure identity systems. The chosen vendor must comply with stringent data protection norms.
Authorities hope that Mumbai’s rollout will serve as a model for wider implementation across other districts in the state.
However, cybersecurity expert and advocate Prashant Mali expressed doubts about the initiative’s efficacy. “The system may fall short for two reasons,” he said. “First, victims often aren’t in the right mindset to verify an officer’s identity. Second, it could take nearly a decade to build widespread public awareness about digital police IDs. Additionally, scammers are skilled at building phony websites that look like genuine portals.”
Despite the concerns, officials believe the digital ID system marks a crucial step in strengthening public trust and curbing misuse of police identities in cybercrimes.
