Threats from cybercriminals have never been so high and sophisticated as they are today. These criminals use any pretext and go to unimaginable lengths to dupe their unsuspecting victims. For instance, they could pose as company representatives or bank officials and try to convince you to share your sensitive personal information, like banking details, to steal money. They even employ social engineering techniques to steal people’s identities and scam their victims.

Now, a new scamming method has emerged called the “digital arrest” scam, in which cybercriminals impersonate law enforcement personnel and employ threats and various other coercive techniques to defraud their victims.

It came to light when a Lucknow-based doctor recently reported a fraud case to the police. The victim, a neurologist at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, lost Rs 2.8 crore when fraudsters posed as officers of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) accused the doctor of committing serious crimes and would only let her go free if she paid the amount. The threat has been so severe that the victim couldn’t leave the house, akin to a house arrest.

What Is Digital Arrest?

The scammers enforced a house arrest against the doctor after accusing her of involvement in a money laundering case and threatening legal action if she failed to transfer the amount in an elaborate plan to rob the victim of money. First, the caller, posing as an employee of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), informed her about 22 complaints registered against her and asked her to download the Skype app so he could connect her to a CBI official, who is one of his associates. The impersonating officer then told her about her involvement, the evidence against her with the court, and an arrest warrant supposedly issued in her name.

To avoid her physical arrest, the scammers suggested she transfer Rs 2.8 crore to different bank accounts, which happened over the next six days, and all this while she was under “digital arrest”, PTI reported. After she finally overcame her fears and informed her family about the incident, the matter reached the police as an FIR.

Rising Cyber-Fraud Cases

Official data shows that between January 1 and December 31, 2023, some 11.28 lakh complaints were registered on the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System. In its annual report, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stated that around 36,000 banking frauds occurred in FY2023-24. These figures show rising banking frauds involving compromised internet banking, UPI, debit or credit card, e-wallet, etc. To minimise such threats, in June, RBI announced the creation of a committee to examine setting up “a digital payments intelligence platform for intelligence and real-time data sharing across the digital payments ecosystem”.

Is Digital Arrest Legitimate?

Sanjay Kaushik, a cybersecurity expert and MD of Netrika Consulting India Pvt., Ltd, says, “As per the law, there is no provision of digital arrest; hence, no government authority like CBI or police can do the digital arrest. Video calls for taking statements are still ok. As digital arrest is not legit, whoever is saying so is a fraud. One shall note that you only get duped for two reasons: fear and greed. If you haven’t done anything wrong, there is nothing to worry about; also, always remember if law enforcement agencies like CBI or police will call you in any wrongdoing, they will come to your home or office to pick you up, and they will not call you to give you notice so that you can run or destroy the evidence”.

What Is The Modus Operandi In Digital Frauds?

Scamsters typically connect people through calls, phone messages, emails, and WhatsApp links and try to convince them to share their personal information. These could be bank account details, login IDs and passwords, or ask the victim to install an application with their shared link. Sometimes, they use fear techniques, as they had done in the doctor’s case. Sometimes, they may use tricks or falsely accuse victims of wrongdoing. They may also call to inform you about a medical emergency with your family member or a friend.

Also Read: What Is A Co-Payment Facility In Senior Health Insurance: All You Need To Know

How To Avoid A Digital Fraud?

To avoid such fraud, one should be vigilant while dealing with digital modes of communication.

Keep The System Updated: Keeping the device updated with the latest software and application is prudent. Regular system updates are necessary to keep it secure. Always update the device’s anti-virus software from a trusted source.

Keep Strong Passwords And Never Share: Keep a strong password and don’t store it on your system. Besides, never share your password or PIN with anyone. Regularly change the passwords and PINs, and do not keep personal information like date of birth, place, etc., as your password.

Use At Least Two-Factor Authentication: As various regulatory authorities emphasise, use a two-factor data security model for banking and other financial transactions. Besides passwords, use OTP, a security question, or a biometric verification wherever possible.

Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi Connection: Avoid using Wi-Fi from the public network. If you have to use it sometimes, don’t use it to access your banking account.

Always Sign Out And Delete The Browsing History: Whether using a phone or computer, always log off after the work is complete. Also, delete the browsing history.

Avoid Downloading Attachments From Unknown Emails: 

1. Be careful while downloading email attachments, as they may contain malware that may corrupt your system or compromise data.

2. Ensure that the download source or the link is authentic.

3. Avoid downloading files or attachments from unknown sources.

Disguised Audio/Video Call: Ask for more information about the accusation under coercive conditions. At times, fraudsters drop the call when you counter-questions them.

Kaushik suggests, “Don’t believe on any call; it’s all about zero trust. Don’t believe any unknown person. If some call comes, ask them for the address of their office and tell them that you will visit in person”.

Also Read: SBI Hikes Lending Rates By 10 Basis Points: Who Will Be Affected?

What To Do If A Digital Fraud Happens?

If the fraud has happened with your sharing the details, executing the transfer under coercion, or a data leak where a fraudulent link has corrupted your system and money has been transferred. In case of any call that has already occurred, don’t delay reporting to the police and cybercrime cell. Report it to the local police, or you may also report it at cybercrime.gov.in. You can also call 1930 to report a cybercrime.

If a digital crime has not happened, but you are suspicious of it, report it even then. The Department of Telecommunications has launched a Chakshu facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal (sancharsaathi.gov.in), where one can report messages, calls, and WhatsApp if they suspect them fraudulent.

Click the link below to learn more.

How To Report Suspected Fraud Communication Via DoT’s Chakshu Facility?