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In his 115th edition of 'Mann Ki Baat,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi sounded the alarm about a rising cybercrime threat known as 'digital arrest fraud.' This deceptive tactic involves fraudsters posing as government officials to extort money from unsuspecting victims. The Prime Minister illustrated the modus operandi of these criminals by playing an audio-video clip that captured a fraudulent call, showcasing a person impersonating a police officer and demanding a victim's Aadhar number to supposedly block a mobile number. This alarming example highlighted the sophistication and audacity of these cybercriminals.
PM Modi delved into the tactics employed by digital arrest fraudsters, revealing how they utilize intimidation and psychological pressure to manipulate victims. These fraudsters, often impersonating officials from organizations like the police, CBI, Narcotics, and even the RBI, create a facade of legitimacy by adopting official titles and speaking with an air of confidence. Their primary goal is to gain the victim's trust before launching their attack.
The Prime Minister meticulously outlined the three-step strategy employed by these fraudsters, emphasizing how they meticulously gather personal information about their target. This data gathering is done to establish credibility and manipulate the victim into believing the legitimacy of the call. The next stage involves creating an atmosphere of fear, utilizing the impersonated authority, legal jargon, and threats of immediate arrest to disorient and instill panic in the victim. This fear-mongering tactic is designed to paralyze critical thinking and make the victim more susceptible to manipulation. Finally, the fraudsters employ a sense of urgency, emphasizing the need for immediate action to avoid arrest, thus pushing the victim into a desperate state and making them more likely to comply with demands for money or personal information.
To combat this growing cyber threat, Prime Minister Modi outlined three crucial steps for digital security – 'Stop, Think, and Take Action.' The first step, 'Stop,' emphasizes the importance of staying calm and avoiding panic when receiving suspicious calls. It encourages victims to resist giving away personal information, prioritize recording the call or taking a screenshot, and delaying any actions until further investigation. The second step, 'Think,' encourages victims to critically evaluate the situation. The PM highlighted the fact that no legitimate government agency would ever threaten or demand money from citizens through phone calls or video calls. Therefore, any such calls should be treated with suspicion. The final step, 'Take Action,' instructs victims to report the incident by contacting the national cyber helpline (1930) or reporting it on cybercrime.gov.in. It also advises them to inform their family and local police, preserve evidence, and avoid engaging with the fraudster.
PM Modi concluded his address by emphasizing the importance of widespread awareness about this threat, urging everyone to understand and disseminate this information. He stressed that no legitimate investigative agency would ever conduct inquiries through phone calls or video calls, thus reiterating the warning against any such attempts. This message highlights the need for continuous education and awareness-building initiatives to protect individuals from falling prey to these digital scams. By promoting digital literacy and raising awareness about cybercrime, we can collectively work towards creating a safer digital environment for everyone.