Prime Minister, in his 115th edition of Mann Ki Baat, highlighted the rising threat of”digital arrest” frauds.
Indians Lose ₹120 Crore to Digital Arrest Scams in Q1 2024
- Indians lost about ₹120.3 crore in ‘digital arrest’ frauds, in the first quarter of this year, according to the government data.
- As many as 7.4 lakh complaints were received between January 1 and April 30 this year, while 15.56 lakh complaints were received in 2023, according to the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) data.
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What is Digital Arrest?
- Digital Arrest is a type of scam where scammers impersonate law enforcement to intimidate and extort money from citizens.
Recent Cases of Digital Arrest Fraud:
- Dr. Pooja Goel, a well-known doctor in Noida, was targeted by scammers posing as officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
- They falsely accused her of using her phone for illegal purposes, leading her to transfer Rs 60 lakh before realizing it was a scam.
- A 72-year-old woman from CR Park in South Delhi lost Rs 83 lakh to scammers posing as police officials.
- She was deceived into believing that she was in legal trouble and had to make immediate payments to clear her name.
Steps Involved in Digital Arrest Scam
- Personal Information Gathering: Scammers begin by gathering personal information about the target, often through social media or other public platforms.
- They may mention specific details about the victim’s life, like a recent vacation or family details, to gain trust.
- Creating Fear: Impersonating government officials or law enforcement, they employ intimidating tactics, like referencing legal sections or using props such as uniforms or office setups, to instill fear.
- Applying Pressure: Scammers use high-pressure tactics, urging immediate action to avoid “arrest.”
- This fear-inducing approach causes victims from all walks of life to fall prey to these schemes, often leading to significant financial losses.
The Three-Step Approach to avoid Digital Arrest
- Stop – Pause and remain calm. Avoid sharing any personal information.
- Think – Remember that no government agency demands payments or investigations via video calls or messages.
- Act – Contact the cyber helpline at 1930 or report the incident on cybercrime.gov.in. Preserve evidence, inform your family, and reach out to local police if necessary.
About Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In)
- Information Technology Act, 2000 (the “IT Act”): Empowers the Central Government to appoint the CERT-In to report cybercrime incidents.
- Established in : 2004
- Functional organization of: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
- Functions of CERT-In :
- Issue guidelines, advisories, vulnerability notes and whitepapers relating to information security practices, procedures, prevention, response and reporting of cyber incidents.
- Legally mandatory to report on cyber security incidents: It is mandatory for service providers, intermediaries, data centers and corporate bodies to report cyber security incidents to CERT-In within a reasonable time of occurrence of the incident
- Powers : CERT-In is empowered to call for information and issue directions to service providers, intermediaries, data centers, body corporates, and any other person.
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Government Actions and Awareness Efforts
- Proactive Measures by CERT-IN and Law Enforcement: India’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) has flagged thousands of fraudulent accounts and blocked video-calling IDs, SIM cards, and associated bank accounts used by these scammers.
- A National Cyber Coordination Centre has also been set up to unify efforts with state governments and investigate these cases comprehensively.
- Raising Awareness: PMencouraged schools, colleges, and communities to educate citizens about cyber fraud, emphasizing the importance of collective vigilance.
October 28, 2024
