PM Modi issues warning against 'digital arrest' scam
- In Reports
- 12:45 PM, Oct 28, 2024
- Myind Staff
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned citizens about a new type of online fraud called "digital arrest." Scammers are reportedly tricking people out of millions of rupees by contacting them through video calls, pretending to be police or tax officials and falsely accusing them of various charges.
Scammers trick their victims into staying at home, claiming they are under a fake "digital arrest," and instruct them not to reach out to anyone. Modi clarified that "digital arrest" is not recognised in Indian law, and no law enforcement agency would ever request personal information through phone or video calls. "The fraudsters impersonate police, Central Bureau of Investigation, narcotics and at times central bank officials,” PM Modi said. The scammers are shown on screen in a studio that looks like a federal investigation agency, tax office, or police station.
They also create fake ID cards and dress in official-looking uniforms to look authentic. The most common scams involve the victim sending a package that contains illicit items, such drugs, or claiming that their phone has been connected to illicit behaviour. There have also been reports of fraudulent arrest warrants and deepfake movies as components of the scam. So-called digital arrests are becoming more and more common.
According to Indian media, a victim was allegedly defrauded of almost 20 million rupees ($237,000; £183,000) in August, which led to the arrest of many men by Bengaluru police. Fraudsters claimed that police had confiscated a package that was sent to the victim and contained the drug MDMA. They threatened to take legal action against him during a WhatsApp call if he didn't pay to resolve his purported legal problems.
This month, actress Maala Parvathi, who primarily stars in Malayalam-language films, too claimed to have been the victim of the fraud. According to Indian media, she claimed that the con artists put her under virtual arrest for interrogation after presenting her with fake identification documents while posing as Mumbai Police officers and accusing her of smuggling drugs to Taiwan. According to reports, she realised it was a scam before any money was exchanged. PM Modi advised victims to take three precautions to keep safe in his warning to the country.
"First, stay calm and do not panic. Record or take a screen recording if possible," the prime minister said. "Second, remember that no government agency will threaten you online. "Third, take action by calling the national cyber helpline and also inform police about the crime."
Comments