Understanding Digital Arrest Scams in India

Digital Arrest Scam: A growing form of cybercrime in India where scammers impersonate law enforcement officials to deceive victims into transferring money.

“Digital arrest” is a cybercrime technique used by fraudsters to extort money from victims. In these scams, fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials, like police officers or CBI agents. They contact victims via video calls, often using Skype or WhatsApp. The fraudsters then accuse their victims of involvement in serious crimes, such as money laundering, drug trafficking, or human trafficking. To make their claims seem more credible, the fraudsters may use real or fake personal information about the victim, sometimes obtained through data breaches.

One of the hallmarks of a digital arrest scam is the use of fear and manipulation to control the victim. Fraudsters may threaten victims with arrest or legal action if they don’t comply with their demands. To further intimidate victims, scammers may show fake arrest warrants or legal documents, and create realistic backgrounds that resemble police stations or courtrooms during video calls. In some cases, scammers have forced victims to stay on a video call for days, even while they sleep, controlling their movements and isolating them from family and friends.

Victims of digital arrest scams are often coerced into transferring large sums of money to the scammer’s bank account. Scammers might claim the money is needed for bail, to avoid arrest, or to verify if their savings are proceeds of crime. The money is then quickly transferred through multiple layers of bank accounts, making it very difficult to trace.

The sources state that there is no such thing as a “digital arrest.” Law enforcement agencies in India do not arrest people over video calls. The sources warn people to be wary of anyone claiming to be a law enforcement official who contacts them through a video call, demands money, or threatens them with arrest. If you receive a call like this, the sources advise you to hang up, contact the agency directly using an official phone number, and report the scam to the police or the cybercrime helpline.

Modus Operandi:

• Initial Contact: Scammers may begin with a call claiming to be from a courier company like FedEx or a government agency like TRAI.
• Accusation: Victims are falsely accused of serious crimes such as money laundering, drug trafficking, or human trafficking.
• Digital Arrest: The scammer threatens an immediate arrest unless the victim complies with their demands.
• Video Calls & Fake Documents: Scammers often use video calls to show fake IDs and uniforms to make the situation seem real. They may also use forged arrest warrants and other documents.
• Isolation & Manipulation: Victims are instructed to stay isolated and not to contact anyone about the situation, enhancing the psychological pressure.
• Financial Demands: The scammer then demands a large sum of money to avoid arrest or to “verify” the victim’s bank accounts.

Vulnerable Groups: Retirees, senior citizens, educated professionals, and anyone unfamiliar with legal procedures are particularly susceptible to this scam.

Red Flags:

• Unsolicited Calls: Be wary of calls from unknown numbers claiming to be from authorities or courier companies.
• Threats of Immediate Arrest: Law enforcement agencies do not conduct arrests via phone or video calls.
• Demands for Personal Information: Never share sensitive information like your Aadhaar number or bank details over the phone.
• Request for Money Transfers: Legitimate authorities never ask for money transfers to avoid legal action.

Prevention:

• Public Awareness: Educate yourself and others about this scam and its warning signs.
• Verify Information: Always independently verify the identity and claims of anyone making official-sounding calls.
• Report Suspicious Activity: Contact your local police or the cybercrime helpline (1930) if you suspect a digital arrest scam.

Quiz: Short Answer Questions

1. What is the primary goal of scammers who use the digital arrest tactic?
2. Describe the typical first point of contact a scammer uses in a digital arrest scam.
3. How do scammers exploit technology to make their claims more believable?
4. Why are individuals instructed to isolate themselves during a digital arrest scam?
5. What are the common emotional responses scammers seek to evoke in their victims?
6. List three red flags that indicate a potential digital arrest scam.
7. How can knowledge of the legal system help protect individuals from falling victim to a digital arrest scam?
8. Explain why retirees and senior citizens are often targeted in digital arrest scams.
9. What steps should you take if you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be a law enforcement officer?
10. How can increased public awareness contribute to combating digital arrest scams?

Answer Key

1. The primary goal of scammers using the digital arrest tactic is to extort money from victims by instilling fear and manipulating their emotions.
2. Scammers often initiate contact by impersonating representatives of courier companies, government agencies (like TRAI), or banks.
3. Scammers exploit technology by using video calls to display fake IDs, uniforms, and official-looking backdrops, creating a facade of legitimacy. They may also use forged documents to further their deceptive claims.
4. Victims are instructed to isolate themselves to prevent them from seeking advice from friends, family, or authorities, who might expose the scam.
5. Scammers aim to evoke fear, anxiety, and a sense of urgency in their victims to make them more susceptible to manipulation.
6. Red flags include: unsolicited calls from unknown numbers, threats of immediate arrest, demands for personal information, and requests for money transfers.
7. Knowing that law enforcement agencies do not conduct arrests over the phone and never demand money to avoid legal action is crucial in identifying and avoiding digital arrest scams.
8. Retirees and senior citizens are often targeted because they may be less familiar with technology and online scams, and might be more trusting of authority figures.
9. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately, independently verify the caller’s identity and claims through official channels, and report the incident to the police or cybercrime helpline (1930).
10. Increased public awareness helps individuals recognize and avoid scams, discourages scammers by making their tactics less effective, and encourages reporting, leading to faster investigations and apprehension of criminals.

Essay Questions

1. Analyze the psychological tactics used by scammers in digital arrest scams and explain why they are often successful.
2. Evaluate the role of technology in both enabling and combating digital arrest scams.
3. Discuss the social and economic consequences of digital arrest scams on individuals and society.
4. Propose strategies for improving public awareness about digital arrest scams, particularly among vulnerable groups.
5. Recommend legal and technological measures that could be implemented to more effectively prevent and prosecute digital arrest scams in India.

Glossary of Key Terms

• Digital Arrest Scam: A type of cyber fraud where scammers impersonate law enforcement officials to deceive victims into believing they are under arrest and extort money from them.
• Cybercrime: Criminal activity carried out using computers and the internet.
• Impersonation: Pretending to be someone else, often with malicious intent.
• Money Laundering: Concealing the origins of illegally obtained money.
• Drug Trafficking: The illegal production, transportation, and sale of drugs.
• Human Trafficking: The illegal trade of people for forced labor or exploitation.
• Arrest Warrant: A legal document authorizing law enforcement to arrest an individual.
• Aadhaar: A 12-digit unique identification number issued to Indian residents.
• TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India): The regulatory body for the telecommunications sector in India.
• FedEx: A multinational courier delivery services company.
• Cybercrime Helpline (1930): A dedicated helpline number in India for reporting cybercrimes.

Understanding a Growing Cybercrime Threat

Source 1: Chennai News | Tamil Nadu Professor Placed Under Digital Arrest, Duped of Rs 10 Lakh

• Case Study: Professor Jayanthi’s Digital Arrest: This section introduces the story of a Chennai professor who lost her life savings to scammers posing as police officers on a video call.
• Widespread Scam Targeting Indians: This section highlights the prevalence of similar scams, emphasizing that scammers often operate from Cambodia and target innocent job seekers.
• Police Advise and Helpline: This section provides basic safety advice from the Tamil Nadu police, urging individuals to avoid suspicious calls and report any financial losses to the dedicated cybercrime helpline.

Source 2: Digital Arrest Scams: Beware of Fraudsters Targeting Smartphone Users

• Introduction: The Rise of Digital Arrest Scams: This section introduces the concept of digital arrest scams and highlights their increasing prevalence in India, particularly targeting smartphone users.
• Case Studies: Ashok Kumar and Dr. Anvitha: This section presents two detailed case studies showcasing how victims are tricked into transferring large sums of money through fabricated accusations and threats.
• Modus Operandi and Scam Tactics: This section explains the typical methods used by digital arrest scammers, including impersonating authority figures, manipulating victims through fear and urgency, and employing various scenarios like Aadhaar misuse and family involvement.
• Prevention and Safety Measures: This section provides practical tips to protect oneself from digital arrest scams, including verifying caller identity, avoiding sharing sensitive information, and staying calm in suspicious situations.

Source 3: Digital Arrest | Explainer: What Is Digital Arrest?

• Defining Digital Arrest and Its Impact: This section defines digital arrest and explains how criminals use fear and panic tactics to extort money from victims under false pretenses.
• The Role of AI in Facilitating Digital Arrest Scams: This section delves into how AI technology is being exploited by cybercriminals to create realistic deepfakes and clone voice samples for family emergency scams.
• Statistics and Government Response: This section presents data on the increasing number of digital arrest complaints in India and outlines steps taken by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to combat the problem, including blocking Skype IDs and issuing alerts.

Source 4: Digital Arrest, The Latest Cyber Fraud Trend. Wondering What To Do First? | The Breakfast Club

• Interview with Cybersecurity Expert Amit Dubey: This section summarizes an interview with a cybersecurity expert discussing the increasing sophistication of digital arrest scams and the emotional impact on victims.
• Key Takeaways and Immediate Actions: This section emphasizes the importance of consulting trusted sources like cybersecurity professionals and highlights the role of AI in cloning voices to create highly convincing scams.

Source 5: Digital arrest is the latest cyber con, don’t fall for it

• Overview: Digital Arrest – A Rising Threat: This section defines digital arrest and highlights its growing prevalence, impacting individuals from various backgrounds, including industrialists, bureaucrats, and professionals.
• Modus Operandi and Target Profiling: This section describes the typical methods employed by scammers in digital arrest cases, emphasizing their meticulous target profiling through social media and exploitation of personal vulnerabilities.
• Case Studies and Financial Losses: This section provides a series of real-life case studies showcasing the devastating financial losses and mental trauma inflicted on victims across India.
• Investigative Efforts and Crackdown on Scammers: This section details police efforts to dismantle digital arrest scams, including successful arrests and recovery of stolen funds.
• The Role of Deepfake Technology: This section explores the potential use of deepfake technology in digital arrest scams, suggesting its possible role in impersonating high-ranking officials like the Chief Justice of India.

Source 6: Digital arrest scam – Digital arrest scam: Retired UP Ghaziabad government official duped of Rs 60 lakh in digital arrest scam – India Today

• Case Study: Preetam Singh Chauhan’s Ordeal: This section presents the story of a retired government official who was falsely accused of money laundering and child trafficking, leading to a six-day digital arrest and the loss of Rs 60 lakh.
• Police Investigation and Response: This section outlines the actions taken by the Ghaziabad Cyber Crime Police, including filing an FIR and efforts to trace the scammers’ accounts.

Source 7: Digital arrest scam is rising and here is how you can save yourself from this threat – India Today

• Introduction: The Digital Arrest Scam Epidemic: This section highlights the alarming rise of digital arrest scams in India and emphasizes the psychological manipulation techniques used to exploit victims.
• Case Study: Journalist Richa’s Experience: This section shares the personal account of a journalist who fell victim to a digital arrest scam, emphasizing the scammer’s access to personal information and their tactics of isolation and threats.
• Modus Operandi and Scam Methodology: This section provides a step-by-step breakdown of how the scam typically unfolds, from the initial call pretending to be from a courier company to escalating threats from fake police officers.
• Preventive Measures and Safety Tips: This section reiterates crucial safety tips to avoid becoming a victim of digital arrest scams, including verifying caller identity, safeguarding sensitive information, and reporting suspicious calls to authorities.

Source 8: Digital arrests: Use common sense, don’t fall prey to scammers, say Kerala Police

• Case Studies: Maala Parvathi and Dr. Geevarghese Mor Coorilos: This section highlights two high-profile cases in Kerala, involving a Malayalam actor and a former Metropolitan, both targeted by digital arrest scams.
• Defining Digital Arrest and Its Modus Operandi: This section provides a concise definition of digital arrest scams and describes the typical tactics used by scammers, including impersonating law enforcement, making false accusations, and confining victims digitally.
• Expert Advice and Red Flags: This section features insights from a cybercrime investigator, emphasizing the importance of common sense and vigilance. It lists key red flags to identify digital arrest scams, such as calls from unknown numbers, involvement of multiple agencies, and requests to transfer funds to personal accounts.
• Awareness Campaigns and Prevention: This section discusses the Kerala Police’s efforts to raise public awareness about digital arrest scams through social media campaigns and video advisories.

Source 9: Ghaziabad: Retired Govt Official Cheated Of Rs 60 Lakh As Fraudsters Put Him Under ‘Digital Arrest’

• Case Study: Preetam Singh’s Digital Arrest and Financial Loss: This section recounts the story of a retired government official in Ghaziabad who lost Rs 60 lakh after being digitally arrested and accused of human trafficking by scammers impersonating police officials.
• Scam Tactics and Emotional Manipulation: This section details the manipulative tactics used by the scammers, including the use of video calls, fabricated arrest warrants, and threats of arrest to instill fear and coerce the victim into transferring money.
• Police Response and Legal Action: This section describes the police response to the case, including the registration of an FIR and ongoing efforts to freeze the transferred amount and apprehend the culprits.

Source 10: NeSL- National E-Governance Services Ltd » “Digital Arrest” menace

• Digital Arrest Scam – A Growing Menace: This section emphasizes the rising threat of digital arrest scams in India, highlighting the evolving nature of cyber threats aided by AI and ML technologies.
• Modus Operandi and Stages of the Scam: This section provides a detailed explanation of the typical stages of a digital arrest scam, from the initial contact pretending to be from a service provider to the virtual arrest and extortion through threats and fabricated documents.
• Case Studies and Real-World Examples: This section cites real-life examples, including the case of a prominent industrialist tricked by a virtual court setup, to demonstrate the sophistication and impact of these scams.
• Preventive Measures and Reporting Mechanisms: This section offers preventative measures to avoid falling victim to digital arrest scams and highlights resources like the Chakshu portal and the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) for reporting cybercrime incidents.
• Expert Insights and Recommendations: This section concludes with expert advice from Jyothish Jolisa, VP of Information Security, emphasizing the importance of vigilance, open communication, and seeking support from information security professionals.

Source 11: The Unfolding of a Digital Nightmare

• Introduction: A Case that Unraveled a Major Scam Network: This section introduces the story of IPS Lavina Sinha and her investigation into a large-scale digital arrest scam in Ahmedabad, triggered by a senior citizen losing ₹79 lakh.
• Victim Testimony and Modus Operandi: This section recounts the victim’s experience, highlighting the emotional manipulation and use of fake arrest warrants and impersonation of authority figures.
• Investigation and Uncovering the Network: This section details the police investigation, showcasing their meticulous tracking of the money trail, uncovering digital operation centers, and tracing the scam to a Taiwanese connection.
• Arrests and Takedown of the Criminal Operation: This section describes the successful arrests of key players in the scam, including the mastermind Saif Haider and Taiwanese operatives, highlighting international collaboration and strategic planning.
• Key Takeaways and Lessons Learned: This section concludes with the broader implications of the case, emphasizing the vulnerability of individuals in the digital age and offering crucial advice for prevention, including contacting local police in case of suspicious claims.

This post analyzes recent news reports and articles detailing a concerning new cybercrime trend in India called “digital arrest.” Scammers impersonate law enforcement officials, leveraging technology and psychological manipulation to extort money from victims under threat of arrest.

Key Themes and Findings:

• Modus Operandi: Scammers often initiate contact posing as representatives from courier companies (e.g., FedEx) or government agencies like the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). They accuse victims of serious crimes, such as money laundering, drug trafficking, or even child trafficking, using personal information gleaned from data breaches to enhance their credibility. The interaction quickly escalates, with fake police officers appearing on video calls, often wearing uniforms and using realistic backgrounds to stage an “investigation.”
• Digital Arrest: The scam’s defining feature is the concept of “digital arrest,” where victims are confined to their homes and forced to keep their phone cameras on, effectively becoming virtual prisoners. They are threatened with dire consequences if they disobey or alert anyone, creating intense psychological pressure.
• Financial Extortion: Victims are coerced into transferring large sums of money into designated bank accounts under various pretexts, such as “security deposits” to avoid arrest or “verification” of their funds by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The transferred funds are then quickly siphoned off through multiple layers of accounts, making recovery difficult.
• Target Demographics: While senior citizens and retired government officials are often targeted due to their perceived vulnerability and potential for savings, reports indicate that victims come from diverse backgrounds, including doctors, engineers, teachers, and even students.
• Psychological Impact: Victims experience immense trauma and fear, often leading to self-isolation and reluctance to report the crime due to shame and embarrassment. The constant threats and monitoring employed by the scammers can have long-lasting psychological consequences.
• Sophistication and Technology: The scammers exhibit a high level of technical sophistication, utilizing rooted mobile phones, automated banking transactions, mule accounts, and possibly even deepfake technology to create convincing impersonations and seamless money laundering operations.
• Geographic Reach: The scam appears to have a significant cross-border element, with investigations uncovering links to criminal networks operating in Taiwan, Dubai, and other countries.

Important Facts and Figures:

• The National Capital Region (NCR) police reported a staggering 600 cases of digital arrest within a three-month period, each with losses exceeding ₹20 lakh (approx. $24,000 USD).
• Over ₹100 crore (approx. $12 million USD) has been siphoned off from victims across Tamil Nadu in the last two years.
• An estimated 12,000 Indians are believed to be trapped as “cyber slaves” in Cambodia, forced to participate in cyber frauds targeting fellow Indians.

Illustrative Quotes:

• Victim Testimony: “They made me believe I was under investigation by the Mumbai police. They showed me fake arrest warrants, video calls with ‘CBI officers’ in full uniform, and told me that if I didn’t comply, things would get much worse,” – 72-year-old victim who lost ₹79 lakh
• Expert Analysis: “They had created a self-sustaining system. Rooted mobile phones, automatic banking transactions, and mule accounts—everything was handled remotely. It was terrifying how smoothly it all worked.” – IPS Lavina Sinha, DCP of Cyber Crime, Ahmedabad
• Official Advisory: “Don’t Panic, Stay Alert. CBI/Police/Custom/ED/Judges DO NOT arrest you on video call” – Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)

Recommendations and Actionable Insights:

• Public Awareness Campaigns: Intensify public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about digital arrest scams, emphasizing that law enforcement agencies never conduct arrests through video calls.
• Collaboration with Telecom and Courier Companies: Strengthen partnerships with telecom operators and courier services to identify suspicious activities, track fraudulent communications, and issue timely alerts to potential victims.
• Robust Law Enforcement Response: Invest in specialized cybercrime units with the resources and expertise to investigate and dismantle these sophisticated criminal networks, including pursuing international cooperation to apprehend perpetrators operating across borders.
• Victim Support and Counseling: Provide comprehensive support services for victims, including psychological counseling and financial guidance to help them cope with the trauma and navigate the recovery process.
• Financial Institutions: Banks and financial institutions should enhance their security measures to detect and prevent fraudulent transactions associated with these scams, and consider implementing robust refund policies for victims who have been tricked into transferring funds.

Conclusion: The digital arrest scam presents a serious threat to the safety and financial well-being of Indian citizens. Addressing this issue requires a multi-pronged approach that prioritizes public awareness, proactive law enforcement, and effective victim support mechanisms. By understanding the tactics and impact of this evolving cybercrime, we can work towards mitigating its risks and building a safer digital landscape for everyone.

Timeline of Events

Undated, Prior to October 2024:

• Cybercrime Racket Emerges: A criminal organization, likely operating out of Cambodia and potentially other locations, establishes a sophisticated system for perpetrating “digital arrest” scams. They exploit data breaches to gather personal information on potential victims across India and possibly use AI technology to create deepfakes for voice cloning and video manipulation.

January – April 2024:

• Digital Arrest Complaints Surge: Over 740,000 digital arrest complaints are filed on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, demonstrating a significant increase in this specific type of cybercrime.

May 2024:

• Government Response Begins: The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) takes steps to combat the rising threat, blocking over 1,000 Skype IDs used by scammers with Microsoft’s assistance. They also initiate the blocking of SIM cards, mobile devices, and mule accounts linked to the operation.

July 2024:

• Lucknow Poet Targeted: A writer and poet in Lucknow falls victim to a digital arrest scam. Posing as CBI officers, the fraudsters hold him under virtual arrest for six hours, even listening to him recite poetry. He is saved from financial loss thanks to his daughter-in-law’s intervention.

August 2024:

• Numerous Digital Arrest Cases Reported: Multiple high-profile and everyday citizens across India fall victim to the scam, enduring virtual arrests lasting hours or even days, and suffering significant financial losses. Some specific incidents reported in the media include:
• A woman in an unspecified location is tricked out of Rs 2 lakh by scammers posing as CBI officers who claim her husband has been arrested for rape.
• A 79-year-old retired Major General in Noida is held under digital arrest for five days and loses Rs 2 crore.

September 2024:

• More Cases and Arrests: The digital arrest scams continue. The Punjab Police make arrests and recover Rs 5.25 crore stolen from S.P. Oswal, the chairman of Vardhman Group. The Delhi Police also apprehend individuals connected to these schemes.
• Specific Cases:Jayanthi, a professor and former journalist in Chennai, is scammed out of Rs 10 lakh.
• A retired female doctor in Jodhpur is digitally arrested for 17 days and loses Rs 87 lakh.
• A retired bank employee in Meerut loses Rs 1.73 crore under the guise of a money laundering investigation.
• A Bengaluru MNC product marketing head is held under digital arrest for 10 hours by alleged FedEx officials and loses Rs 51 lakh.
• A senior National Buildings Construction Corporation official in Delhi loses Rs 55 lakh.
• A 24-year-old woman working for a Bengaluru firm loses Rs 5.4 lakh.

October 2024:

• Indore Scientist Targeted: A scientist in Indore is placed under digital arrest for six days and manipulated into transferring his entire savings of Rs 71.33 lakh, intended for his daughter’s marriage.
• FedEx Issues Warning: FedEx releases a public statement warning customers about fraudulent calls and advising them to contact law enforcement if they encounter suspicious activity.
• I4C Issues Public Advisory: The I4C issues a statement emphasizing that law enforcement agencies do not conduct arrests via video calls. They urge citizens to be cautious and report any such incidents.
• Ghaziabad Official Scammed: Pritam Singh Chauhan, a retired government official in Ghaziabad, loses Rs 60 lakh after being held under digital arrest for six days.
• Ahmedabad Police Bust Operation: The Ahmedabad police cyber crime branch arrests 17 individuals involved in a major digital arrest scam network.
• Kerala Police Urge Common Sense: Kerala Police respond to the increasing threat, particularly after Malayalam actor Maala Parvathi is targeted. They stress the importance of awareness and critical thinking, emphasizing that no legal authority conducts arrests via phone or video calls.
• Investigation Expands: In Ahmedabad, IPS Lavina Sinha and her team uncover a vast digital arrest operation with links to Taiwan. Raids and arrests take place in multiple cities, revealing a complex web of dummy accounts, rooted mobile phones, and remote-controlled banking transactions.

Victims:

• Jayanthi: Professor and former journalist in Chennai who lost Rs 10 lakh.
• S.P. Oswal: Chairman and Managing Director of the Vardhman Group, duped of over Rs 7 crore.
• Indore Scientist: (Name not given) A scientist at the Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology who lost Rs 71.33 lakh.
• Retired Major General: (Name not given) A resident of Noida who lost Rs 2 crore.
• Female Lawyer: (Name not given) A lawyer from Bengaluru who lost Rs 14 lakh and suffered further extortion due to compromised nude videos.
• Lucknow Writer and Poet: (Name not given) A victim of a six-hour virtual arrest saved by his daughter-in-law.
• Retired High-Ranking Police Officer: (Name not given) Duped of Rs 2 crore but saved due to a timely warning from a former colleague.
• Pritam Singh Chauhan: A retired government official in Ghaziabad who lost Rs 60 lakh.
• Maala Parvathi: Malayalam actor who was placed under virtual arrest but did not lose money.

Law Enforcement and Experts:

• IPS Lavina Sinha: DCP of Cyber Crime in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, instrumental in exposing a major digital arrest racket.
• Rajesh Dandotiya: Additional SP (ASP-Crime) of the Indore Police crime branch, actively investigating digital arrest cases in the region.
• Prof. Triveni Singh: Retired IPS officer and cybercrime expert who provides insights into the modus operandi of the scammers.
• Santosh Tiwari: In charge of the Ghaziabad Cyber Crime Police station.
• Bijumon ES: Vigilance SP, cybercrime investigator, and cyber forensic expert with Kerala Police.

Criminals:

• Saif Haider: A Delhi-based individual identified as a key player in the digital arrest scam, connected to Taiwanese criminals.
• Mark and Marco: Taiwanese nationals identified as masterminds behind the technological infrastructure of the scam.
• “Pramod”: The alias used by the scammer who impersonated an Assistant Commissioner of Police from Mumbai in the case of Ashok Kumar.
• “Shamsher”: The alias used by the scammer who impersonated a CBI officer in the case of Dr. Anvitha.

Other Key Individuals:

• Ashok Kumar: A retired bank employee from Bangalore who lost Rs 41 lakh.
• Dr. Anvitha: A renowned doctor who was scammed out of Rs 70 lakh.
• Richa: An AajTak journalist who came forward to share her experience as a victim of a digital arrest scam.

This detailed timeline and cast of characters provide a comprehensive overview of the digital arrest scams, their impact, and the efforts underway to combat them.

Digital Arrest Scam FAQ

What is a digital arrest scam?

A digital arrest scam is a type of cybercrime where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials, such as police officers or CBI representatives, through video calls using platforms like Skype or WhatsApp. They accuse victims of serious crimes, such as money laundering, drug trafficking, or human trafficking. Using fake arrest warrants, IDs, and even simulated court scenes, they create a sense of fear and urgency, pressuring victims into transferring money to avoid arrest.

Who are the typical targets of these scams?

While anyone can be a target, scammers often prey on individuals who are likely to have substantial savings and who may be less familiar with legal processes. They often research potential victims through social media to gather personal information and tailor their approach. Common targets include:

• Senior citizens and retirees
• Educated professionals
• Government officials (both serving and retired)

How do these scams typically unfold?

The scam usually begins with a video call from an unknown international number. The scammer, posing as a law enforcement officer, will accuse the victim of a serious crime and claim an arrest warrant has been issued. To make the threat seem credible, they often display fake IDs, wear uniforms, and use backgrounds resembling government offices or courtrooms. Victims are told to remain on the call, isolating them from potential help, and are pressured into transferring money to a “safe account” to prove their innocence or avoid arrest.

What are some red flags that could indicate a digital arrest scam?

• Video call initiation: Real law enforcement agencies do not initiate arrest procedures through video calls.
• Demands for immediate payment: Legitimate authorities will never demand immediate money transfers through online platforms.
• Pressure and threats: Scammers use high-pressure tactics, threats of legal action, and intimidation to coerce victims into compliance.
• Requests for sensitive information: Never share personal details like Aadhaar numbers, bank information, or passwords over a call initiated by an unknown person.

What should I do if I receive a suspicious call?

• Stay calm: Don’t panic. Scammers thrive on creating fear and confusion.
• End the call: Hang up immediately. Do not engage in conversation or provide any information.
• Verify independently: Contact the relevant authority (police, CBI, etc.) directly using official phone numbers or websites to confirm the call’s legitimacy.
• Report the incident: Report the call to your local police station and the cybercrime helpline (1930 in India) or visit www.cybercrime.gov.in.

Are there any legal actions being taken against these scammers?

Yes, law enforcement agencies are actively working to combat digital arrest scams. They are tracing financial trails, identifying scammer networks, and collaborating with international authorities to apprehend perpetrators. Several arrests have been made, and efforts are ongoing to recover stolen funds.

How can I protect myself from becoming a victim?

• Be cautious of calls from unknown numbers, especially those involving video.
• Never share personal information over a call initiated by someone you don’t know.
• Educate yourself and your family about common scam tactics.
• Be wary of unsolicited offers or threats that seem too good to be true.
• Stay informed about the latest scams by following news reports and advisories from authorities.

What role does technology play in these scams?

Scammers leverage technology to enhance their deception. AI-powered tools can clone voices to impersonate family members or officials, creating realistic deepfake videos to enhance their credibility. This evolving technology underscores the need for heightened awareness and caution in the digital landscape.