What is Digital Arrest?
A digital arrest is a scam where scammers posing as police or other powerful authorities call you and tell you to follow their instructions to fulfil their demands. Generally, They ask for money but in some cases, it can go very extreme like a digital torcher or something unless you meet their demand. They can scare you to give them money to avoid the fake arrest.
It’s important not to believe these calls and never give money or personal details to them. Always check with real police if you get such calls.
For example, if someone calls you and says you must pay ₹10,000 because you did something wrong, but you didn’t do it, that’s a digital arrest scam. Remember, real police don’t ask for money over the phone. Always check with real police if you get such a call.
Few recent incidents
A recent incident of “digital arrest” occurred in Faridabad, Haryana, where a 23-year-old woman was duped at Rs 2.5 lakh by cybercriminals. The criminals posed as customs officials and police officers, claiming that a parcel containing passports and other cards was being sent to Cambodia using her Aadhaar number.
They threatened her with legal action and convinced her to transfer money to their account. The term “digital arrest” refers to the practice of monitoring a person digitally via audio-video calls, where the victim is not allowed to disconnect the call and is unaware they are being monitored.
In this case, the woman was kept on Skype for an extended period without logging off, under the pretence that she was “digitally arrested” by the criminals.
Please be cautious of such scams and never share personal information or transfer money without verifying the request’s legitimacy. If you suspect a scam, contact the local authorities immediately.
Why is it dangerous Digital arrest?
Digital arrest is dangerous because it’s a form of cyber fraud where criminals trick someone into believing they are in legal trouble. Here’s an example in simple words:
Imagine you get a call from someone who says they are a police officer. They tell you that you’re in big trouble because a parcel containing illegal items was sent using your identity. They might even show you fake police officers on a video call to scare you. Then, they say you have to pay money to avoid going to court or being arrested.
In a recent case, a woman was tricked into transferring Rs 2.5 lakh to criminals and was told not to log off from a video call, making her believe she was under a “digital arrest”1. This is dangerous because it can cause a lot of stress and financial loss to the person who is being tricked. Always be careful and verify any such calls with the actual authorities.
How to deal with Digital arrest?
Dealing with a “Digital Arrest” scam involves a few key steps. First, recognize that it’s a scam where fraudsters pose as law enforcement to extort money for fake charges. Always verify the identity of anyone claiming to be an official; genuine officers won’t mind you checking their credentials. Stay calm and never share personal information over the phone or online. just go through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
If threatened with legal action, independently verify the claims by contacting local authorities. Use official communication channels; National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, real legal matters aren’t settled over Skype. Always seek guidance from trusted sources if in doubt.
To deal with the “Digital Arrest” scam, it’s important to stay vigilant and informed. We can take a few steps to deal with it for our digital safety.
Be Aware
Verify Identity
Stay Calm
Protect Personal Information
Independent Verification
Use Official Channels
Report Scams
Lastly, report any suspected scams to the police and cybercrime units. Remember, awareness and caution are your best defences against such fraudulent schemes. In dealing with the “Digital Arrest” scams, it’s important to stay vigilant and informed.
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