Beware of Digital Arrest Scams: Fake Cyber Police Calls Explained!

Digital Arrest Fraud: Identify, Defend, and Spread Awareness

Digital Arrest Fraud: A Detailed Introduction

Digital arrest fraud is a new form of cyber fraud where the criminals impersonate police officers or other government officials to intimidate victims. They call or video call the victim, claiming that a major criminal case is underway against them, that their name has surfaced in a money laundering or black money investigation, and they threaten them with “digital arrest.” They then demand money or sensitive information. It is important to note that there is no legal process like digital arrest in Indian law. Despite this, many naive people fall for this scam and become victims of large-scale fraud.

What makes the digital arrest fraud unique is that the criminals use technology to conduct real-time video calls or use messaging apps like WhatsApp. This makes the scam appear more credible than regular phone calls. The fraudsters claim that the victim’s mobile number is being misused, that they have been involved in money laundering, and that police/CBI/ED are going to arrest them. After scaring the victim, they are forced to transfer money or provide bank account details.

Early signs of digital arrest fraud include threatening language (e.g., “Police will call you tomorrow” or “We will arrest your children too”), fabricated stories (e.g., a criminal from an international scam has been arrested and your name is involved), and asking the victim to show their surroundings using a 360-degree camera to ensure no one else is present. Often, the criminals try to build trust by showing fake documents (such as a fake court order or investigation report). The goal is to instill panic in the victim, forcing them to act quickly without thinking.

How Criminals Trap Victims (Psychological Tricks)

To make their claims more believable, criminals use various psychological tricks. They may impersonate police officers, CBI/ED officials, or employees from telecom regulatory bodies like TRAI. Initially, they speak in a calm tone, engage in minor debates, and gradually build trust. They then connect the victim with high-ranking officials. For instance, in one case, the caller first posed as “SI Roshan” via video call, showing a profile picture of the Delhi Police Cyber Crime unit, then faked an inspector role by showing a document under the name “Account Titling.”

Criminals often give multiple threats. Sometimes they claim the victim’s name is involved in a large scam (like “Nawab Malik’s laundering scam”), or they claim that drugs or foreign currency have been found at the victim’s house. They then escalate the victim’s fear, urging them to cooperate in the “digital arrest” process. They advise the victim to stay isolated, show the room using a 360-degree camera, or reveal some expert identifiers in the house.

Criminals also exploit sympathy to trap victims. For example, in one incident, an 82-year-old retired colonel and his wife were kept in a digital arrest for 10 days, citing the death of their two sons as an emotional angle. They were sent a fake Supreme Court order to convince them that their funds were valid, further building trust. The fraudsters assured the victims that their funds would be returned within six hours and offered rewards for cooperation.

Common Techniques Used by Criminals

• Impersonating Official Identity: Criminals impersonate government agencies (police, CBI, NCB, ED, etc.) or banks (RBI) employees. For example, in one case, the fraudsters posed as “Mumbai Crime Branch” officers and used a fake police station background to build trust.
• Spoofed Calls: Calls often come from foreign numbers (like Myanmar, Laos), but show up as Indian numbers. The government has issued guidelines to telecom companies to curb international spoof calls.
• Video Calls & Screen Sharing: The criminals use WhatsApp video calls and display fake images of police stations or ED offices. Sometimes, they share fake documents on the screen and ask the victim to write complaints.
• Instilling Panic: By making immediate threats like “A report against you has been filed…” or “Your number will be blocked tomorrow,” they increase the victim’s anxiety. They may also mention that someone in the case has committed suicide to heighten the fear.
• Requesting Financial Information: The criminals gradually start asking for bank details, Aadhaar numbers, OTPs, etc., and instruct the victim to transfer cash or withdraw fixed deposits and show receipts.
• False Assurances: In many cases, criminals pretend to give a “release order” or assure that investments will be legally recognized by sending fake Supreme Court orders stating that “you are clear.” When the money isn’t returned, the victim realizes they’ve been defrauded.

Real-life Case Studies

Several cases across the country highlight the horrifying outcomes of digital arrest fraud. Here are five major cases:

1. ₹83 Lakhs Fraud (Chandigarh): An 85-year-old retired Major General, Prabodh Chandra Puri, was defrauded of ₹83 lakh under the guise of digital arrest. The fraudsters posed as cyber cell officials and made video calls, demanding money from his wife’s bank account.
2. ₹1.94 Crores Fraud (Mumbai): A 68-year-old man was misled in a fake WhatsApp video call, where the fraudsters claimed he was involved in Naresh Goyal’s money laundering case. They isolated him for 2-3 days and made him transfer ₹1.94 crores.
3. ₹20.25 Crores Fraud (Mumbai): An 86-year-old woman was kept in digital arrest for 68 days, during which she was defrauded of ₹20.25 crores. The criminals told her that her Aadhaar was used in a fake bank account involved in heavy money laundering.
4. ₹3 Crores Fraud (Noida): A retired 78-year-old officer from RBI, along with his wife, was kept in digital arrest for 15 days, and ₹3 crores were defrauded from them. The fraudsters sent fake Supreme Court orders stating that their funds were valid.
5. ₹3.4 Crores Fraud (Chandigarh): An 82-year-old retired colonel and his wife were threatened by fraudsters claiming they were involved in a ₹5038 crores scam. They were kept at home for 10 days and were forced to transfer ₹3.4 crores.

Common Methods and Techniques Used in Digital Arrest Fraud

Criminals use several techniques in digital arrest fraud, such as:

• Call Center Operations: Criminals run call centers where multiple calls are made simultaneously. They initially pose as TRAI or police officers and then shift to fraudulent tactics.
• Official Clothing: On video calls, fraudsters often wear digital uniforms or claim to be senior officials (like SP, DCP) to build trust.
• Fake Documents: Criminals display fake documents, such as Supreme Court or Railway Police forms, to deceive the victim.
• Campaigns and Advertisements: Fraudulent ads or emails, resembling government notices, are sent to induce fear. TV broadcasts sometimes also air hidden legal jargon, making the victim anxious.
• Social Engineering: Criminals gather personal information about the victim, like family member names and property details, from social media or dating apps, creating a sense of trust.
• Fake Organizations: Criminals may also combine digital arrest fraud with other scam schemes (like FEDEX parcel scams or online investment scams).

Government and Cyber Police Warnings

The government and law enforcement agencies have issued continuous alerts to warn people about this scam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the fraud in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address, noting that in one quarter, people lost ₹120.3 crores.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has launched campaigns to raise awareness about digital arrest fraud and issued guidelines for telecom companies to prevent international spoof calls. Cyber police also continue to inform the public that no investigation agency conducts video calls for interrogations, nor do they demand money over the phone.

How to Protect Yourself

Here are steps to protect yourself from digital arrest fraud:

1. Verify Information: Never share personal details or bank information without verifying the caller’s identity. Check official names, badge numbers, or departmental emails.
2. Keep Personal Information Confidential: Don’t share OTPs, passwords, or credit card information over the phone.
3. Avoid Suspicious Links: Don’t click on suspicious ads or investment schemes on social media.
4. Use Software Updates: Keep your mobile and computer systems updated with the latest antivirus and OS updates.
5. Use Strong Passwords and 2FA: Create strong passwords for banking or email accounts and enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
6. Seek Trusted Help: Consult with family or tech experts if you receive suspicious calls.
7. Report to Police: Immediately report fraudulent calls to the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) and your local police station.
8. Change Online Passwords: If you used online banking or e-wallets, change your passwords and enable 2FA immediately.
9. Don’t Panic: Stay calm after a fraud attempt and contact the right authorities.
10. Educate Yourself: Stay updated on digital fraud techniques to avoid falling victim to such scams.

FAQs

1. What is digital arrest fraud? Digital arrest fraud is a cyber scam where criminals impersonate police, CBI, or ED officials, falsely accusing the victim of crimes and threatening them with “digital arrest,” forcing them to give money or personal information.

2. Do government officials ever talk about digital arrest over the phone? No, digital arrest is not a recognized process in Indian law. Genuine officials do not demand money over the phone, and official notices are always issued in writing.

3. How to identify fake calls? Fake calls often come from international numbers or threaten the victim with serious charges and urgent demands for money. Real officials do not pressure individuals in this manner.

4. What should I do if I receive a digital arrest call? End the call immediately, gather evidence, report to the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930), and inform the local police and bank to block any transfers.

5. Can I get the defrauded money back? It is possible but not guaranteed. The sooner you report the fraud, the better the chances of stopping the transaction.

6. Who should I report to immediately? Call 1930 (National Cyber Crime Helpline), and file a report on the official cyber crime portal. Notify your local police station as well.

7. Is there any law against digital arrest fraud? While there isn’t a specific law for digital arrest fraud, it can fall under sections related to fraud (IPC section 420), criminal intimidation (section 503), and violations of the Information Technology Act.

8. What has the government said about digital arrest fraud? The government has issued various warnings, with the Prime Minister discussing it in ‘Mann Ki Baat.’ The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cyber Police are working to raise awareness.

By following these steps and staying vigilant, you can protect yourself from digital arrest fraud and other cyber scams. Always remember, awareness is your best defense.