How a split-second decision can save you from digital-arrest scam

“There is nothing like digital arrest in our law, this is just fraud, deceit, lies, a gang of criminals and those who are doing this are enemies of society,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his latest ‘Mann ki Baat’ broadcast. PM Modi spoke on digital arrests on Sunday because the scourge has spread wide in India, taking away the entire life’s savings of people. But a split-second decision could save Indians from being scammed.
A digital arrest scam involves scammers impersonating government officials, especially from law-enforcement departments. They contact their victims through phone calls and later switch to video through WhatsApp and Skype.
The callers mostly pretend to be either police personnel or officials from the customs department. After the scammers switch to video, victims are generally shown a police station-like set-up to make them believe that the call is being made by cops.
The target is accused of illegal activity, which the scammers say has led to the person’s arrest. The scammers also show fake documents showing the digital arrest.
Thousands of people have fallen victim to such scammers though there is nothing called digital arrest in law.
That the scam is widespread is revealed by data from the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP). Indians have lost up to Rs 120 crore in digital arrest cases just in the first quarter of 2024, according to an Indian Express report that quotes data from NCRP.
In a world where information is power, knowing how the scammers might try to hijack your brain and that split-second decision might save you from losing your life’s savings.
PM Modi in his October 27 Mann Ki Baat speech alerted Indians to the widespread fraud.
“Beware of digital arrest frauds. No investigative agency will ever contact you by phone or video call for such an investigation,” he said.
Digital arrest scams take place in three stages — collecting personal information, scaring people and putting immense pressure on them — explained the PM.
It was in 2024 that thousands of cases of digital arrests came to light.
Recently, Richa Mishra, a journalist from Aaj Tak, India Today’s sister media outlet, received a call from a courier company claiming her Aadhaar number was linked to a parcel containing drugs. What followed was an hours-long ordeal that made the journalist feel as though she was being held digitally hostage by scammers.
Such instances have been reported across India.
An elderly man in Ahmedabad was also tricked into transferring Rs 1.26 crore in a digital arrest scam wherein the scammers impersonated high-ranking officials, including the Chief Justice of India.
But there are ways to save yourself from digital arrest.
A split-second decision could save you. The mantra is not to panic.
“Stop, think and take action,” said Modi.
“As soon as you get a call, stop…– don’t panic, stay calm, don’t take any hasty steps, don’t give away your personal information to anyone; if possible take a screenshot and record it for sure,” he said.
“No government agency threatens you on the phone like this, neither enquires nor demands money on a video call like this. If you feel scared, then know that something is wrong,” he added.
“Dial the national cyber helpline 1930, report on cybercrime.gov.in , inform family and police, preserve evidence. ‘Stop’, then ‘Think’, and then take ‘Action’. These three steps will become the protector of your digital security,” he added.
What could also help people is to know about digital arrests and be cautious about any such calls.
“If you get a call, and they tell you, they are from CBI, CID, ED (Enforcement Directorate) and they want to arrest you for a crime. And the next step is to ask for money. It is a scam, hang up the call,” Cybercrime expert Triveni Singh told India Today Digital.
Taking a step back helps too.
“Listen to what the scammer is actually saying. Do not respond too quickly. The more time you take to think, the less are the chances of you getting scammed. Just breathe and think. If you can, share what is happening to someone you can trust and ask for their help,” psychiatrist Sneha Sharma tells India Today Digital.
Remember, you can’t be arrested over the phone or on a video call because there is nothing like ‘digital arrest’. So, do not panic, and never follow any instructions on call. Staying calm, composed and informed is how people can stay safe from cyber criminals, who are developing newer ways to defraud people.