- The Prime Minister of India has warned citizens about the “digital arrest” scam, urging vigilance and proactive reporting to prevent fraud.
- PM advised citizens to report cyber scams to the national cyber helpline (1930) and the cybercrime.gov.in portal.
- Fraudsters impersonate officials from law enforcement or the Reserve Bank of India, creating fear by collecting personal information and using official backgrounds in video calls.
- Victims receive a phone call, email, or message claiming they are under investigation for illegal activities, such as identity theft or money laundering.
- Threats and Pressure: The scammer threatens the victim with arrest or legal consequences unless they take immediate action. They often create a sense of panic to prevent rational thinking.
- Demands for Payment: Under the guise of “clearing their name”, “assisting with the investigation,” or “Refundable security deposit/Escrow account” the individuals are coerced into transferring large sums of money to specified Bank Accounts or UPI IDs.
| Preventive Actions Follow the “Stop-Think-Take Action” approach: Pause before reacting, verify the authenticity, and take appropriate action. Report incidents to the cyber helpline, inform family, notify police, and preserve any evidence. The National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC) has been established to combat cyber fraud. Agencies have blocked thousands of fake video IDs, SIM cards, mobile devices, and suspicious bank accounts linked to scams. |
| CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) CERT-In is the national agency responsible for responding to cybersecurity incidents and threats in India. Established under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), its key functions include handling cybersecurity incidents, issuing advisories, and offering guidance on best practices to protect information systems. CERT-In collaborates with international agencies, government bodies, and private sectors to bolster cybersecurity and mitigate risks across the nation. |
Dig Deeper: Read about the National Cyber Coordination Centre’s role and recent cyber-attacks on Indian power infrastructure.
