Digital arrest scam

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A digital arrest scam is a scam in which victims are accused of being involved in illegal activities and intimidated into sending their money to get the charges dropped. Victims are usually contacted through videoconferencing technology (e.g. WhatsApp, video calls and other digital methods) by persons disguised in police uniform. [1]

Contents

Procedure

Perpetrators of digital arrest scams defraud victims by posing as law enforcement in video calls and falsely accusing their victims of conducting illegal activities, then placing them under "digital arrest" and pressuring them to make payments to avoid punishment. [2] [3] [4]

Digital arrest scams may involve the following accusations: [5]

Precautions

During digital arrest scams it is advised for the victim to stay calm and not to panic and do not reveal important information. [6]

National impact

Digital arrest scams, as per the Ministry of Home Affairs, have caused loss of ₹120.3 crore (US$14 million) to Indian citizens. [7] The scams were mainly discovered being operated from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. The National Cybercrime Reporting Portal reported a significant increase in the rise of these incidents from 4.52 complaints in the year 2021 to 7.4 lakh complaints during the first four months of respective years. In March 2025, an elderly couple in Karnataka died by suicide after they were duped of ₹50 lakh (US$57,000) by scammers. [8] [9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "What are 'digital arrest' scams? Why do many Indians fall for them?". The Indian Express.
  2. ↑ "What is 'digital arrest scam' and how can you protect yourself?". The Hindu. 28 October 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  3. ↑ Rekhi, Dia (4 November 2024). "You are under digital arrest! How fake cop scams are draining victims' bank accounts". The Economic Times. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  4. ↑ "'You are under digital arrest': Inside a scam looting millions from Indians". bbc.com. 18 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  5. ↑ "No legal basis for digital arrests anywhere: Deceptive tactics decoded". business-standard.com. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  6. ↑ Kurmanath, K. V. (4 November 2024). "Things you should know about 'digital arrest' scams!". BusinessLine. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  7. ↑ "PM Modi warns of 'Digital Arrest' scam: Here's what it is and how to stay safe". Business Today. 29 October 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  8. ↑ "Elderly Couple Loses Rs 50 Lakh To Cyber Fraud In Karnataka, Dies By Suicide". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  9. ↑ "Digital arrest claims elderly couple's lives in Belagavi". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
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