Digital payments are now accessible nationwide, driving India towards a digital-first economy. They offer both security and convenience. However, it’s crucial to use digital payments safely and avoid online scams. Early identification of potential scams helps protect you and your loved ones, fostering a safer, less-cash economy, for everyone, according to National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

Digital Arrest Scams – Modus Operandi

Online frauds are becoming more sophisticated, with ‘Digital Arrest’ scams being a prime example. In these scams, fraudsters pretend to be law enforcement officials, tricking victims into sending money or sharing personal information by making up fake legal cases involving victim or their family member. They initiate contact through phone calls and then switch to video calls using platforms like WhatsApp or Skype. Victims are threatened with a digital arrest warrant for alleged financial misconduct or other legal violations. Under fear, victims often give in, resulting in financial loss and the risk of identity theft.

Recently, a doctor based in Noida lost Rs 60 lakh to a digital arrest scam. Dr Pooja Goel received a call from fraudsters posing as officials of TRAI, saying that her phone number was being used to circulate illegal obscene videos. She was threatened until she complied to their demands.

In another incident, scammers posed as police personnel and extorted Rs 83 lakh out of a 72-year-old woman in South Delhi’s CR Park.

How to Identify Potential ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam

Unexpected contact from ‘Officials’: Be cautious if someone claims to be from government agencies like the police, CBI, income tax department, or customs agents, contacts you. Be cautious especially if they claim urgent legal action is being initiated or warranted. They might allege that you or one of your family members is involved in a serious crime like money laundering, tax evasion, or drug trafficking.

Fear-based language and urgency: Scammers may request video calls, disguising themselves in police uniforms, using government logos, or creating official-sounding background noise to appear legitimate. They often threaten arrest or immediate legal action, demanding a quick response and using legal terms to sound convincing. In some cases, they create a police station-like setup to further convince victims of their credibility.

Request for sensitive information or payment: Scammers may ask for personal information or demand large sums of money, promising that this will clear up your involvement in the alleged crime. They may also coerce you to transfer money to their account until the investigation is complete. Terms like “clearing your name”, “assisting with the investigation”, or “refundable security deposit/ escrow account” might be used by them to persuade you into transferring money to specified bank accounts or UPI IDs.

Govt Initiatives Against Digital Arrest Scams

‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are state subjects as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. The states/UTs are primarily responsible for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of crimes including cyber crime and digital arrest scams through their law enforcement agencies (LEAs). The Central government supplements the initiatives of the states/UTs through advisories and financial assistance under various schemes for capacity building of their LEAs.

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles and publishes the statistical data on crimes in its publication “Crime in India”. The latest published report is for the year 2022. Specific data regarding digital arrest scams is not maintained separately by NCRB.

To strengthen the mechanism to deal with cyber crimes including digital arrest scams in a comprehensive and coordinated manner, the Central government has taken steps which include the following:

The Ministry of Home Affairs has set up the ‘Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre’ (I4C) as an attached office to deal with all types of cybercrimes in the country, in a coordinated and comprehensive manner.

The Union government has launched a comprehensive awareness programme on digital arrest scams which, inter-alia, include; newspaper advertisement, announcement in Delhi Metros, use of social media influencers to create special posts, campaign through Prasar Bharti and electronic media, special programme on Aakashvani and participated in Raahgiri Function at Connaught Place, New Delhi on November 27, 2024.
I4C proactively identify and blocked more than 1,700 Skype IDs and 59,000 Whatsapp accounts used for Digital Arrest.
The Central government has issued a press release on alert against incidents of ‘Blackmail’ and ‘Digital Arrest’ by Cyber Criminals Impersonating state/UT police, NCB, CBI, RBI and other law enforcement agencies.

The government and telecom service providers (TSPs) have devised a system to identify and block incoming international spoofed calls displaying Indian mobile numbers appear to be originating within India. Such international spoofed calls have been made by cyber-criminals in recent cases of fake digital arrests, FedEx scams, impersonation as government and police officials, etc. Directions have been issued to the TSPs for blocking of such incoming international spoofed calls.

Till November 15, 2024, more than 6.69 lakhs SIM cards and 1,32,000 IMEIs as reported by police authorities have been blocked by Government of India.

The ‘National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal’ has been launched, as a part of the I4C, to enable public to report incidents pertaining to all types of cyber crimes, with special focus on cyber crimes against women and children. Cyber crime incidents reported on this portal, their conversion into FIRs and subsequent action thereon are handled by the State/UT Law Enforcement Agencies concerned as per the provisions of the law.

The ‘Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System’, under I4C, has been launched in year 2021 for immediate reporting of financial frauds and to stop siphoning off funds by the fraudsters. So far, financial amount of more than Rs 3,431 crore has been saved in more than 9.94 lakh complaints. A toll-free Helpline number ‘1930’ has been operationalized to get assistance in lodging online cyber complaints.

To spread awareness on cyber crime, the Government of India has taken steps which include:

Dissemination of messages through SMS, I4C social media account — X (formerly Twitter) (@CyberDost), Facebook(CyberDostI4C), Instagram (cyberDostI4C), Telegram(cyberdosti4c), Radio campaign, engaged MyGov for publicity in multiple mediums, organizing Cyber Safety and Security Awareness weeks in association with States/UTs, publishing of Handbook for Adolescents/Students, digital displays on railway stations and airports across, etc.

Practical Steps to Stay Protected

Pause and Verify: If you receive unexpected calls or messages about legal issues, take a moment to verify. Stay calm, as scammers rely on fear and urgency. Real government and law enforcement agencies will never ask for money or investigate cases through phone or video calls. Always confirm the caller’s identity and consult trusted sources before taking any action.

Record and report: Save messages, take screenshots and document interactions. This can help authorities if you need to file a report.