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The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (IC3C) has issued a public advisory in response to the growing number of 'digital arrest' scams in India. These scams involve fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officials from agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), police, customs, Enforcement Directorate (ED), or even judges, to extort money from unsuspecting individuals.
The IC3C's advisory emphasizes that legitimate law enforcement agencies never conduct arrests through video calls. The advisory also highlights the use of social media platforms like WhatsApp and Skype by these scammers, prompting these platforms to collaborate with government cybersecurity agencies to improve user safety.
The 'digital arrest' scam typically involves the scammer contacting the victim via SMS or video call, claiming that the victim or their family members are involved in criminal activities such as drug trafficking or money laundering. They then proceed to 'arrest' the victim virtually, instructing them to stay confined, keep their phone cameras on, and pay a sum of money to secure their release.
This scam has proven to be particularly effective, as evidenced by the recent case of a senior NBCC official who fell victim to a similar scheme and lost ₹55 lakh. The advisory urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or attempts at 'digital arrest' to the helpline number 1930 or the cybercrime website.
This advisory underscores the importance of staying informed and cautious in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. It also demonstrates the collaborative efforts of government agencies and social media platforms in combating these scams and protecting the public from falling prey to them.
Source: How to avoid digital arrest scams? Centre's advisory as frauds rise across India