‘Mera aur Cyber Cell ka purana rishta hai’: Samay Raina jokes about ‘Latent’ row before CM Devendra Fadnavis felicitation

Comedian Samay Raina brought humour to a Maharashtra Cyber event in Mumbai on Wednesday as he spoke about his long association with the cyber cell, days after the controversy surrounding his show India’s Got Latent had drawn widespread attention.

Raina was among the celebrities felicitated for contributing to Maharashtra Cyber’s awareness campaign against online fraud. The event was attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who launched a short film titled Digital Arrest along with the 1930 Maharashtra Cyber Anthem.

While accepting the felicitation, Raina joked about his connection with the cyber authorities. “Mera aur Maharashtra Cyber cell ka rishta bahut purana hai,” he said, adding that the cyber unit was highly active and could track people whether they were in India or abroad.


The remark drew attention because of the earlier controversy linked to India’s Got Latent, the comedy show associated with Raina that faced legal and political scrutiny over content featured in one of its episodes.

Samay Raina jokes about getting calls from 1930

Raina also spoke about the cyber helpline number at the event. “1930 is really a great number,” he said, adding that he had saved it because he often received calls from the number.

He then turned the moment into another joke, referring to the early-morning timing of the felicitation. “This is the first time the Cyber Cell has woken a comedian in the morning to felicitate someone,” Raina said.

The comedian's participation was part of a broader campaign designed to make people more aware of cybercrime and the tactics used by online fraudsters.

Fadnavis warns against ‘digital arrest’ scams

Fadnavis used the event to urge citizens to be cautious when receiving threatening calls from people claiming to represent law enforcement or government agencies. He said cybercriminals often intimidate victims by posing as police officers, CBI officials or judges. The fraudsters then use the threat of arrest or legal action to pressure people into following their instructions.

Fadnavis urged people not to fall for such tactics and asked victims of cyber fraud to contact the 1930 cyber helpline immediately. The campaign's short film, Digital Arrest, focuses on the scam in which criminals impersonate officials and convince victims that they are involved in a criminal case.

Celebrities join Maharashtra Cyber awareness drive

Raina was not the only celebrity associated with the initiative. Actors Ashish Vidyarthi, Pankaj Tripathi, Sharad Kelkar, Sonali Bendre, Javed Jaffrey and Mangesh Desai, along with singer Sunidhi Chauhan, also contributed to the campaign. They were felicitated at the Mumbai event.

The Maharashtra Cyber initiative uses films, music and celebrity voices to take the anti-fraud message to a wider audience. Vidyarthi said technology has made life easier but is also being exploited by criminals to target ordinary people. He said awareness could help prevent people from becoming victims.

He also highlighted a key point behind the campaign: there is no legal process called a “digital arrest”.

What is a digital arrest scam?

In a typical digital arrest scam, a victim receives a call from someone claiming to be a police officer, government official or another authority. The caller may accuse the person of being involved in a crime and create an atmosphere of panic. Victims can be ordered to stay on a video call, provide personal or financial information, or transfer money to supposedly “safe” accounts.

The entire operation is based on fear and urgency.

Authorities have repeatedly warned people not to share sensitive information or send money simply because someone claims to be calling from a government agency. The Maharashtra Cyber campaign is now attempting to drive that message home through popular culture.

And at the centre of the campaign is one number citizens are being asked to remember: 1930.