With the increasing reliance on the internet and smartphones, digital scams have also been rising rapidly. One of the most prevalent scams is the “digital arrest” scam, where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials to deceive victims and steal their money. Recently, a woman from Noida lost over Rs 14 lakh to scammers in a digital arrest scam. This is not the only such case; several similar incidents have been reported. To protect yourself, it’s essential to understand what a “digital arrest” scam is, how to identify it, and how to safeguard yourself from it.
Here’s everything to know about the digital arrest scam.
What is a digital arrest scam?
A digital arrest scam involves a fraudster posing as a government official, such as officials from the Reserve Bank of India, the Enforcement Directorate or even the Central Bureau of Investigation, to falsely accuse people of financial crimes. These activities are carried out through phone calls, video calls, email or even text messages containing panic-inducing threats for a serious offence like drug trafficking, money laundering or even a sexual offence. Then they persuade users to either transfer funds into specific bank accounts or disclose sensitive information to avoid fabricated legal consequences.
How to protect yourself from a digital arrest scam?
Here is a list of some common patterns used by scammers.
- Fraudsters often pose as government or law enforcement officials, using spoofed phone numbers, forged documents, and fake identification cards.
- Victims are persuaded into compliance through threats of arrest and immediate legal consequences.
- Scammers will try to keep you busy on video calls to create a sense of urgency, thereby preventing you from seeking help from others or assistance from friends. They intimidate victims in a way that causes them not to question the scammers’ legitimacy and leads them to trust them blindly.
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How to identify a digital arrest scam?
- Verify the caller’s identity. Leave the call and contact the agency using the official numbers provided on their website to ensure your safety.
- Do not share any personal information, such as bank details, CVV, credit card details, OTPs, bank statements, passwords, or ID cards, with unknown callers.
- Under no circumstances make any immediate payments via gift card or any other mode.
- Report such suspicious activities to the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal or helpline number 1930.
- Also, enable two-factor authentication on your devices to protect yourself.
- Enable carrier spam filters, call blocking, or call filtering on your smartphone.
- Learn and educate yourself about legal provisions to understand lawful arrest provisions and your rights as a citizen.
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Himani Jha
Himani Jha is a tech news writer at Digit. Passionate about smartphones and consumer technology, she has contributed to leading publications such as Times Network, Gadgets 360, and Hindustan Times Tech for the past five years. When not immersed in gadgets, she enjoys exploring the vibrant culinary scene, discovering new cafes and restaurants, and indulging in her love for fine literature and timeless music. View Full Profile
