An increasing number of people are falling victim to online scammers who exploit fear to extort money
Digital scams are evolving into a growing menace, targeting people across India and robbing them of their hard-earned money. As more people rely on online platforms for communication and transactions, fraudsters are exploiting the digital landscape to orchestrate sophisticated schemes. A recent warning from Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted the alarming rise of a new scam known as the ‘digital arrest.’ This scam involves tricking victims into believing they are under legal scrutiny for their misdeeds and asking them to remain isolated. The victims are placed under a ‘digital arrest,’ by the fraudster posing as a police officer. To get out of this they must cough up the money to drop the fabricated charges. The ‘digital arrest’ scam preys on fear and confusion. The term‘digital arrest,’sounds like a legitimate legal procedure. Recognising the severity of the issue, Prime Minister Modi issued a national warning to educate citizens about this fraudulent scheme. He clarified that the concept of a ‘digital arrest’ does not exist under Indian law, and no government agency would ever request personal details via phone or video call. PM Modi also provided a three-step action plan for anyone targeted by digital scammers: Victims should not panic but try to record the interaction if possible, which could help authorities trace the criminals later. No official agency will threaten or make demands online. Any such approach should be treated with suspicion. And lastly, Citizens should immediately report the incident to the national cyber helpline and local police. Several cases of ‘digital arrests’ have emerged across the country, underlining the scam’s rapid spread. Recently, Malayalam film actor Maala Parvathi fell victim to the scheme when fraudsters, posing as Mumbai police officers, accused her of smuggling drugs to Taiwan. Fortunately, she recognised the ruse before any money was exchanged.
The cases of digital arrest scams are just tip of the iceberg. Everyday millions of people are getting calls from scamsters and losing their money. Digital scams like the ‘digital arrest’ are effective because they exploit common fears about the legal system. The scammers often impersonate authoritative figures such as police officers, Central Bureau of Investigation officials, or representatives from the central bank, making their threats seem credible. The use of deepfake technology, fake ID cards, and well-crafted backdrops adds to the authenticity of their claims, convincing many to comply out of fear. PM Modi’s alert is timely, however the efforts must be made by the enforcement agencies to ramp up cyber security and nab these fraudsters. Cyber security must be given top priority at the highest level as it also concerns national security as well. The Government and law enforcement agencies must put their act together to combat the surge in digital scams. Awareness campaigns, cybercrime helplines, and increased collaboration with technology companies must be employed to take on these scamsters.
