PM Modi warns against digital arrest scams: what is it, how to stay safe | News explained

During an episode of his radio show Mann Ki Baat on Sunday (October 27), Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew attention to digital arrests, warning people against the scam. Beware of digital arrest scams. There is no such system as digital arrest under the law. No government agency will ever contact you by phone or video call for such an investigation, he said.

How exactly do such scams work? Given that investigating authorities are not empowered to make arrests over the phone or video call, how have scammers been able to deceive people in recent years? We explain.

What are digital arrest scams?

A digital arrest scam involves scammers posing as government officials. They contact potential victims by phone or video via WhatsApp, Skype or other channels. Often, the victim is accused of participating in an illegal activity, such as the movement of drugs or a suspicious package.

Through a combination of settings and costumes depicting police stations and official insignia, the scammers convincingly make their fake identities appear real. They use pressure tactics, intimidation and false documents to subject victims to so-called digital arrests, demanding that they not end the call or even attempt to leave their home.

Following lengthy calls during which the consequences of not following their orders are detailed, the scammers demand payments. The money is essentially offered as a means of securing the “release” of victims or ending the proceedings.

How to protect yourself from digital arrest scam calls

Scammers lie about victims' ignorance of the law and create a stressful situation for them, bombarding them with information and making them feel vulnerable. The Prime Minister also said in his speech, “Fraudsters pose as police, CBI, narcotics and sometimes RBI officials. Using such diverse labels, they speak like fake officers with great confidence.

Vulnerable groups are not the only ones to fall victim to such scams. Considerable sums were also stolen from wealthy individuals. Earlier this month, it was reported that scammers had cheated textile industry doyenne SP Oswal into transferring Rs 7 crore to their bank accounts.

Oswal, chairman and managing director of Vardhman Group, the country's largest textile manufacturing group, said he was also taken into digital custody by the fraudsters who posed as CBI sleuths. Oswal said The Indian Express that they kept him under digital surveillance for two days via Skype as a suspect in a money laundering case.

They staged a mock Supreme Court hearing over Skype, in which a person impersonated Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, simulated a hearing and then issued an order.

There are several signs that can reveal whether potential scammers are on the other line of a call. First, they generally advise against handling legal issues in a real police station. Second, these calls are of long duration, which is unlikely in a real case. Officials are also not responding to calls to address such issues, as the Prime Minister said. Fraudsters can also ask for Aadhar or PAN details.

Prime Minister Modi also said in his speech: Follow these 3 steps to stay safe: Stop, Think, Act. First of all, stay calm and don't panic. Record or take a screen recording if possible. Second, remember that no government agency will threaten you online. Thirdly, take action by dialing 1930 to connect to the national IT helpline and also inform the police about such a crime.

What has the government done to combat digital arrest scams?

The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Center (I4C) is a dedicated wing of the Cybercrime and Information Security Division of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, mandated to tackle cases of cybercrime in full swing. growth. In its analysis of trends observed from January to April 2024, I4C found that Indians lost Rs 120.30 crore due to this type of scam.

It blocked over 1,000 Skype IDs linked to such activities, after working with Microsoft. Awareness campaigns have also been launched. Prime Minister Modi also asked schools and colleges to help disseminate more information on the subject.

In May, the government established an inter-ministerial committee bringing together various law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat the recent surge in transnational organized cybercrime against Indians from various Southeast Asian countries, as the Cambodia.

Persons who receive such calls should immediately report the incident to the Cybercrime Hotline 1930 or at http://www.cybercrime.gov.in. They must also file a complaint and inform the local police.

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