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Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concern over ‘digital arrest fraud‘ in his Mann Ki Baat address to the nation. The Prime Minister played an audio-video clip that showed a man donning a police uniform and asking the person (victim) on the other end to share his Aadhaar number to get a mobile number blocked. This type of modus operandi is used by the fraudsters to create fear of Digital arrest and con people based on their fears.
Digital arrest fraud is a new form of cybercrime in India. These cyber crimes have seriously grave concerns and, hence, these must be addressed at the earliest.
What is Digital Arrest? What is the modus operandi?
Digital Arrest- Digital arrest involves cybercriminals posing as law enforcement agents (from the CBI, Narcotics Department, or Reserve Bank of India) who claim that the victim is involved in illegal activities like movement of drugs or a suspicious package. The victims are tricked into remaining under constant visual surveillance via Skype or other video conferencing platforms until the criminals’ demands are met.
Modus Operandi of Digital arrest
| Caller ID Spoofing | Scammers disguise their phone number to look like it is from a legitimate government office or police department. Scammers also reach out via video calls using WhatsApp or Skype. |
| Intimidation | Victims are falsely accused of crimes like drug trafficking or money laundering, and are shown fake documents and setups that mimic police stations. The scammers use fear tactics, such as threatening for jail-term or property seizure, to create urgency. |
| Isolation | Victims are instructed to remain on the call and not to contact anyone else. This creates a sense of urgency and fear. The fraudsters also use deepfake videos and fake arrest warrants to impersonate officials of law enforcement agencies. |
| Demands for Money and Personal Identity Theft | The fraudsters demand immediate payment, often via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, which would make the money transfer difficult to trace. Some scammers ask for Aadhaar Details, Bank account details, and other personal information, which are later used for identity theft. |
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Examples of Digital Arrest Fraud Cases
Digital arrest fraud cases have not only targeted the vulnerable groups, but also wealthy individuals as well. Vast sums of Money have also been stolen from wealthy individuals.
| Vardhman Group Director’s case | Scammers duped the textile industry doyen S P Oswal into transferring Rs 7 crore to their bank accounts, by posing as CBI Officers and intimidating him on false money laundering cases. |
| Fake impersonation as CJI | There have been cases where a person impersonated Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, faked hearing a matter on skype and thereafter passed an order. |
Rise in Digital arrest Cyber crime cases
a. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in March 2024, issued a press release, alerting people against incidents of blackmail and digital arrest by cyber criminals impersonating Police authorities, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Narcotics Department, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Enforcement Directorate and other law enforcement agencies.
b. As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, a significant rise in cybercrimes have been reported in the last few years- 10,395 in 2020, 14,007 in 2021 and 17,470 in 2022.
What are the concerns with the rising Digital Arrest Fraud cases in India?
1. Financial Losses- The financial losses to the victims become impossible to recover because the scammers request payments through untraceable methods like cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers.
2. Negative emotional and Psychological Impact- Victims feel intimidated and psychological pressure, which can lead to anxiety, stress. The scammers use threatening language and claim serious consequences like jail time, asset seizures, or even deportation.
3. Identity and Data Theft- Scammers often use stolen personal information for identity theft, opening bank accounts, credit cards, or committing other forms of fraud in the victim’s name.
4. Increasing use of AI in Fraud- The increased use of AI like Deepfakes and voice modulation complicates the detection and identification of digital arrest fraud cases.
5. Difficulty in Tracing and Prosecuting Perpetrators- Many digital arrest scams originate overseas, which makes it difficult for law enforcement to trace and prosecute the scammers.
What have been the efforts of the government to control these frauds?
| Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) | The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), part of the cyber and information security division of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, is dedicated to address rising cybercrime. Between January and April 2024, I4C recorded Rs 120.30 crore in losses by Indians due to digital arrest scams. |
| Initiatives and Collaborations | I4C, in partnership with Microsoft, has blocked over 1,000 Skype IDs associated with these scams and launched public awareness campaigns. Prime Minister Modi has urged schools and colleges to assist in spreading awareness about cybercrime risks. |
| Interministerial committee against transnational crime | In May 2024, an inter-ministerial committee, comprising various law enforcement and intelligence agencies, was established to address the increase in transnational cybercrimes targeting Indians, especially from Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia. |
| Reporting Cybercrime | Individuals targeted by cyber scams can report incidents immediately via the cybercrime helpline at 1930 or online at cybercrime.gov.in and notify local police. |
What Should be the Way Forward?
1. Staying Calm- On receiving a suspicious call, one should do not panic. A person should take a moment to assess the situation.
2. Verification of Identity- The personal information should not be shared over the phone or video calls.
3. Documenting Evidence- A person should try to record the call or take screenshots for evidence. This documentation can be crucial in the times of need of reporting the scam.
4. Contacting Authorities- In case of digital arrest cases, a person should report the incident to local police or through national cyber helplines (1930).
5. Education and awareness- Education and awareness is the key to avoid digital arrest frauds. Understanding that digital arrests are fraudulent can help the masses recognize and avoid such scams.
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| Read More- The Indian Express UPSC Syllabus- GS-3 Internal security challenges (Cyber Security) |
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