PM Modi warns against ‘Digital Arrest’ cyber scam targeting citizens nationwide
PM Modi warns against ‘Digital Arrest’ cyber scam targeting citizens nationwide
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently raised concerns over a new cyber scam, known as “digital arrest,” in his Mann Ki Baat address. In this scheme, criminals impersonate law enforcement officials to frighten people, often coercing them into transferring large sums of money. Modi highlighted the need for vigilance, playing a recorded example of a scam call to show how the scammers operate. He emphasized that no genuine agency would conduct inquiries over phone or video calls, urging citizens to stay alert.
To help people protect themselves, PM Modi outlined a simple three-step safety protocol: Stop, Think, and Take Action. The first step, “Stop,” encourages people to remain calm and avoid giving out personal information immediately. The second step, “Think,” reminds individuals that legitimate agencies do not conduct inquiries over calls or demand payments through phone calls. The final step, “Take Action,” advises citizens to report such incidents via the National Cybercrime Helpline at 1930 or through the website cybercrime.gov.in. Modi also encouraged citizens to inform their family members and keep records of any evidence.
The Prime Minister urged people to share their experiences to create more awareness and suggested that schools and colleges involve students in campaigns against cyber scams using the hashtag #SafeDigitalIndia.
Data from the Ministry of Home Affairs reveals that digital arrest scams have resulted in significant financial losses for Indians. According to The Indian Express, citizens lost ₹120.3 crore in these scams during the first quarter of 2023 alone. This form of fraud is among the most reported to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), accounting for 46% of early 2023 cyber frauds, totaling ₹1,776 crore. Many of these scams originate from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, which have seen a rise in scam operations.
One recent case involved an 85-year-old woman from Hyderabad who lost Rs 5.9 crore. Scammers, posing as Mumbai cybercrime officials, claimed her Aadhaar details were tied to high-profile money laundering cases. They pressured her to transfer funds, threatening her with digital arrest if she failed to comply.
The scam typically begins with a message alerting individuals that their phone number or identity is linked to criminal acts, like drug trafficking or money laundering, and directs them to call a specific number to avoid “digital arrest.”
