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Explained: What is the digital arrest scam and how can you protect yourself?
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Explained: What is the digital arrest scam and how can you protect yourself?

Explained: What is the digital arrest scam and how can you protect yourself?

In his last speech on ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned the nation about the alarming rise of the “digital arrest” scam. This scam involves scammers posing as law enforcement officials to extort money from unsuspecting victims. Modi revealed that in the first quarter of 2024 alone, Indians lost a staggering amount of Rs 120.3 crore due to these scams.
During his speech, Prime Minister Modi detailed the modus operandi of these fraudsters, who often pose as officials from the police, CBI, narcotics departments or even the Reserve Bank of India. They create an atmosphere of fear by presenting themselves in agency uniforms and citing legal provisions, ultimately threatening to arrest victims unless they pay a certain sum of money.
Here’s everything you need to know about this ongoing scam.

What is a digital arrest scam?

A digital arrest scam is a type of cybercrime where scammers pose as law enforcement officials, often using sophisticated tactics to intimidate and deceive their victims. They typically contact victims through phone calls, text messages, or social media, falsely accusing them of engaging in criminal activities such as money launderingtax evasion or cybercrime.

How the scam works:

  1. Intimidation: Scammers use threats of arrest or legal action to instill fear in their victims.
  2. Impersonation: They often impersonate police officers or other law enforcement officials, using official-sounding titles and slang.
  3. False accusations: Victims are falsely accused of various crimes, such as cybercrime or financial fraud.
  4. Demand for payment: To avoid arrest or legal consequences, victims are pressured to pay a fine or a bribe.
  5. Data theft: Scammers may also try to steal personal information, such as bank account details or passwords.

How to protect yourself:

  1. Verify information: Never share personal information or financial details with anyone over the phone or online unless you are absolutely sure of their identity and the legitimacy of their request.
  2. Be careful with unknown numbers: Avoid answering calls from unknown numbers, especially those with foreign area codes.
  3. Verify information: If you receive a suspicious call or message, try to verify the information with a trusted source, such as a government website or a known law enforcement agency.
  4. Stay calm: Scammers often use fear and intimidation to manipulate their victims. Stay calm and avoid making impulsive decisions.
  5. Report the scam: If you believe you have been the target of a digital arrest scam, report it to local police or cybercrime authorities. You can also report this to your Internet service provider or mobile operator.