A Shocking Case
A shocking incident (Link to the original Hindustan Times Report) recently came to light where a 78-year-old retired banker lost nearly ₹23 crores to a Digital Arrest Scam.
Sadly, he is not the only one. Many unsuspecting citizens have fallen victim to this fraud, losing their hard-earned life savings. Yet, only a few cases get officially reported due to fear, embarrassment, or lack of awareness.
What is a Digital Arrest Scam?
A Digital Arrest Scam is a type of cyber fraud where criminals impersonate law enforcement officials through video or voice calls. They typically claim that:
The victim’s identity documents (Aadhaar, PAN, passport, etc.) have been used in a crime.
The victim is now under a so-called “digital arrest.”
To make the call appear legitimate, fraudsters often simulate conversations with senior officers or share fake case files. This intimidates the victim into believing the scam is real.
Once they gain the victim’s trust, the fraudsters demand money as a “security deposit” or “settlement amount.” Out of fear of legal consequences or public humiliation, many victims end up transferring large sums—often their entire savings.
How to Protect Yourself from Digital Arrest Scams
1. Stay Calm and Verify
If you receive such a call, do not panic.
Report it immediately to your nearest police station or call the Cyber Crime Helpline (1930 in India) or visit https://cybercrime.gov.in/ to register a complaint on the cyber fraud.
2. Never Share Sensitive Information
Do not disclose your Aadhaar, PAN, bank details, or OTPs over phone calls.
Government agencies never ask for money transfers to settle cases.
3. Look Out for Red Flags
Threats of immediate arrest or jail.
Urgency to transfer money.
Fake uniforms, video calls, or fake documents.
4. Spread Awareness
Inform your family and community, especially senior citizens, who are frequent targets.
Awareness is the strongest protection against such scams.
Reporting the incident immediately will help in retrieving the lost amount to a major extent. One such incident where a Bengaluru woman was able to retrieve her lost amount(Click here to read)
Government Awareness Campaign.
The Government of India has launched a public awareness initiative to help citizens stay safe from cyber frauds like digital arrest scams.
👉 Read the official press release here.
Links to news clippings of various digital arrest scams.
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