It was a typical Sunday morning when Ankur, a young fashion designer in Pune, received an unexpected call. The number looked official, so Ankur picked up the call. The person on the other end introduced himself as an officer from the Enforcement Directorate, informing Ankur that his Aadhar card had been linked to illegal activities and that he was under investigation. Hearing this, Ankur got stressed and started panicking.

But wait. Before Ankur could react, the caller informed him that he needed to cooperate immediately; failure to do so would result in his arrest. With no time to think, Ankur was told to transfer a whopping amount to avoid legal consequences and solve this matter. Despite the discomfort, the fear of arrest forced Ankur to follow the officer’s instructions and transfer a substantial sum to the account provided.

After discussing the whole matter with his friend, he realized that he had become a victim of “Digital Arrest” and had been financially drained by the scammers.

Like Ankur, many individuals and businesses have become the victims of this new scam-  “Digital Arrest.” This scam has left many individuals deceived and financially drained. The situation has become so distressing that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed this issue in his monthly radio talk ‘Mann Ki Baat’ in October, urging the public to report such incidents to the cyber helpline. India has witnessed several cybercrimes in recent years, from fake investment and trading to dating scams. However, the “digital arrest” scam is incredibly elaborate and threatening, affecting the victim’s life.

What is Digital Arrest?

A digital arrest scam is an online fraud where scammers threaten victims by falsely accusing them of illegal activities. The victims are later pressured to make the payment. According to the official figures, Indians lost more than INR 120 crore to “digital arrest” hoaxes during the first quarter of 2024. These figures are even more alarming, as many victims don’t report such crimes. Stolen funds are mostly transferred into overseas accounts or cryptocurrency wallets.

Growing Cases of Digital Arrest

Beneath are a few instances where scammers used advanced technology to make the call look genuine, mimicking official phone numbers or impersonating government personnel.

• Recently, an IIT Bombay student lost a whopping INR 7 lakh to fraudsters in a digital arrest. He was manipulated that his Aadhar card had been linked to criminal activities and was pressured to transfer money to clear his name.
• In another case of a digital arrest case, a 77-year-old woman from Mumbai was kept under ‘digital custody’ for more than a month. She duped INR 3.8 crore by scammers posing as law enforcement officials investigating a fabricated money laundering case.
• Similarly, a woman from Noida was duped of INR 34 lakh in a “digital arrest” case, where cyber criminals threatened her with misleading notices from the Enforcement Directorate.
• In Chandigarh, a 56-year-old tuition teacher was under “digital arrest” for 22 days and duped by fraudsters posing as enforcement officials of INR 51.27 lakh.

These stories are urgent reminders of how well scams are executed. They often manipulate the victim using technology, misleading information, false authority, and panic tactics.

Pattern Followed in Digital Arrest

1. The scammers claim to be high-profile government bureaucrats.
2. They usually claim to have misused the Aadhar card.
3. Always ask to keep the mobile phone switched on all the time.
4. Scammers video call in official uniforms to build trust.
5. Constant surveillance and intimidation tactics create panic.

Digital Arrest Scams: How to Protect Yourself?

Stay Alert: Government agencies do not conduct investigations or arrests through video calls. Don’t get trapped if you receive a message or call from someone claiming to be from a government agency or law enforcement.

Don’t Share Important Details: Don’t share sensitive information that can be misused. Never share your bank details, Aadhaar number, or OTP over the phone.

Don’t Transfer Money:Law enforcement agencies don’t ask for payments to clear charges. Don’t transfer money in any way, including gift cards, online wallets, or cryptocurrencies.

Report Suspicious Calls: Immediately report such suspicious calls to cybercrime helplines, 1930, and be a responsible citizen.

With increasing digital banking and online services, staying aware of cybercrime risks has become more important than ever. By staying cautious, verifying sources, and reporting suspicious activity, people can protect themselves from falling victim to such scams.