In a bid to tackle rising cases of fraud involving fake police IDs, the Maharashtra government has approved ₹4 crore to issue digital smart cards for all 51,308 personnel in the Mumbai Police force. The move comes after increasing reports of criminals forging printed IDs to impersonate officers, particularly in "digital arrest" scams where fraudsters extort money via video calls.

The new high-security cards will feature QR codes, holograms and embedded photos, making them nearly impossible to replicate. A dedicated mobile verification app will also allow citizens to instantly verify an officer's identity, designation, to confirm their credentials in real time.

This initiative makes Mumbai Police the first government department in the state to adopt a fully digital ID system. The cards will be mandatory for all officers on duty, including those in civil clothes. While experts warn of potential spoofing risks, officials believe the system will boost public trust and curb impersonation crimes. The rollout is set to begin soon, with closed tenders for a secure technology provider underway.