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Mahesh

28/10/24 13:38 PM IST

Digital arrest’ scams

In News
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew attention to “digital arrests”, warning people against the scam.
Digital arrest
  • A digital arrest scam involves scammers pretending to be government officials.
  • They approach potential victims through phone or video calls through WhatsApp, Skype or other channels.
  • Often, the victim is accused of being part of an illegal activity, such as the movement of drugs or a suspicious package.
  • Through a combination of sets and costumes depicting police stations and official badges, scammers convincingly make their fake identities seem real.
  • They use pressure tactics, intimidation and fake documents to put the victims under so-called digital arrests, demanding that they do not end the call or attempt to even leave their homes.
  • Following long-duration calls where the consequences of not following their orders are elaborated upon, the scammers demand payments.
  • Money is essentially suggested as a route to secure the victims’ “release” or to end the proceedings.
Safety from Digital arrest
  • Scammers lie on victims’ ignorance of the law and create a stressful situation for them, bombarding them with information and making them feel vulnerable.
  • The PM also said in his address, “The fraudsters impersonate police, CBI, narcotics and at times RBI officials.
  • Using such various labels, they converse as fake officers with a lot of confidence”.
  • It is not only vulnerable groups who may fall prey to such scams. Vast sums have been stolen from wealthy individuals, as well.
  • Earlier this month, it was reported that scammers duped the textile industry doyen S P Oswal into transferring Rs 7 crore to their bank accounts.
  • Several signs can reveal whether potential scammers are on the other line of a call.
  • First, they usually discourage sorting out legal issues at a real police station.
  • Second, such calls are of long duration, which is unlikely to happen in a real case.
  • Officials also do not reach out on calls to deal with such matters, as the PM said. Scammers may also ask for Aadhar or PAN details.
  • First, stay calm and do not panic. Record or take a screen recording if possible.
  • Second, remember that no government agency will threaten you online.
  • Third, take action by dialling 1930 to connect with the national cyber helpline and also inform police about such a crime.”
Countering digital scams
  • The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), is a dedicated wing under the cyber and information security division of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, mandated to tackle burgeoning cybercrime cases.
  • In its analysis of trends seen from January to April 2024, the I4C found that Indians lost Rs 120.30 crore because of this type of scam.
  • It has blocked more than 1,000 Skype IDs linked to such activities, after collaborating with Microsoft.
  • Awareness campaigns have also been launched. PM Modi also asked schools and colleges to help spread more information about the issue.
  • The  government set up an inter-ministerial committee of various law enforcement and intelligence agencies to tackle the recent “spurt” in transnational organised cyber crimes against Indians from various Southeast Asian countries, such as Cambodia.
  • People who receive such calls should immediately report the incident on the cybercrime helpline 1930, or at http://www.cybercrime.gov.in. They should also file a complaint and inform the local police.
Source- Indian Express

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