The Supreme Court of India's Registry has issued a critical advisory, warning the public about fake websites created to impersonate the nation's highest court. This is not just a notice; it is a call for digital vigilance to protect your data.
An Escalating Online Threat
On November
3, 2026, the Supreme Court Registry issued a public notice identifying a new fraudulent website: 'scigovinjudicial.com'. This is the latest in a series of warnings about deceptive online portals designed to trick the public. These fake sites are part of sophisticated phishing schemes where cybercriminals clone the official appearance of the Supreme Court's website. Their goal is to create a false sense of security to lure citizens, litigants, and lawyers into surrendering sensitive personal data, login credentials, and confidential financial information. The advisory stressed that these criminals exploit the court's authority to make their scams appear legitimate, putting unsuspecting users at significant risk of data and financial theft.
How to Spot a Fake Website
Distinguishing a fraudulent site from the real one is crucial. The only official and registered domain for the Supreme Court of India is 'sci.gov.in'. Any variation, no matter how convincing, is fraudulent. Scammers often use URLs that look very similar, manipulating spellings or adding extra terms like 'judicial' to deceive users. A key red flag is any request for personal or financial details. The Supreme Court has explicitly stated that it will never ask for confidential information such as bank account numbers, passwords, or other private data online. Before clicking any link, especially one received via email or a messaging app, you should hover your mouse cursor over it to reveal the true destination URL. If the address is not exactly 'sci.gov.in', do not click it.
A Pattern of Impersonation
This recent alert is part of a larger, ongoing battle against cybercrime. The Supreme Court Registry has issued multiple advisories over the past few years, highlighting a persistent effort by criminals to exploit the court's name. Previous warnings in 2025 and 2026 flagged other fake domains attempting similar phishing attacks. Scammers impersonate trusted government bodies because it builds instant credibility and urgency. They create a sense of authority or fear, pressuring victims to act without thinking. By cloning the look and feel of official portals, from the emblem to the layout, they lower the guard of even cautious internet users.
What to Do If You've Been Targeted
If you encounter a suspicious website or believe you may have fallen victim to a phishing scam, the advisory outlines clear steps to take. First and foremost, do not click any suspicious links or provide any information. If you suspect your details have been compromised, you must act quickly. The Registry advises immediately changing the passwords for all your online accounts, not just the one you think was exposed. You should also contact your bank and credit card companies without delay to report any potential unauthorised access and to secure your accounts from financial loss. Reporting the incident to law enforcement agencies also helps in the broader effort to track and stop these cybercriminals.
Staying Safe Online : Your Checklist
Vigilance is your best defence. Always doublecheck website URLs, looking for the official 'sci.gov.in' domain. Be inherently suspicious of any unsolicited communication—be it an email, SMS, or WhatsApp message—that claims to be from the Supreme Court and asks for personal information or demands urgent action. Government agencies, especially judicial bodies, do not operate this way. For official information, including case statuses, judgments, and circulars, always navigate directly to the official website by typing the address into your browser. You can report suspected fraud communications to the government's Sanchar Saathi portal under the 'Chakshu' facility.
