Amid growing concerns over online fraud, India’s cybercrime authorities have alerted citizens about a sharp increase in “digital arrest” scams designed to intimidate and exploit unsuspecting users.
The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre, through its awareness platform CyberDost, has issued an advisory highlighting how these scams operate. Fraudsters typically contact individuals via phone or video calls, pretending to be police officers or government officials.
Scammers create panic by falsely accusing victims of serious offences and pressuring them to act immediately. To appear genuine, they often use fake documents, uniforms, or staged video setups. In several cases, victims are kept under prolonged psychological pressure, sometimes involving their family members, making it difficult to verify the claims.
Authorities said these scams rely heavily on urgency. Victims are asked to share sensitive personal information or transfer money under the pretext of resolving legal issues quickly.
CyberDost has clearly stated that there is no legal concept of a “digital arrest” in India, and any such claim should be treated as fraudulent.
The advisory also explained what genuine authorities do not do. Law enforcement agencies do not conduct investigations through video calls, do not ask for confidential financial details during such interactions, and do not force individuals to take immediate action under threats.
Users are urged to stay alert and verify any suspicious communication through official channels. If targeted, individuals should disconnect the call immediately and avoid sharing any personal or financial information.
Victims can report such incidents by calling the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 or by filing a complaint on the official cybercrime portal.
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