Digital Arrests and Online Scams: The Dark Side of India’s Cyber Revolution
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Surge in Cybercrime Complaints in 2024
In the
first four months of 2024 alone, 7,40,000 cybercrime complaints were
filed in India, with ₹1,800 crores stolen through various scams,
including investment frauds, extortion, and digital arrests. These figures come
from the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), managed by the Ministry
of Home Affairs, which shows a dramatic rise in cybercrime compared to previous
years.
|
Year |
Cybercrime Complaints |
Financial Loss (in ₹ crores) |
Increase in Complaints (%) |
|
2021-2023 |
3,46,000 |
500 |
- |
|
2024
(Jan-Apr) |
7,40,000 |
1,800 |
113% |
According to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre,
85% of these cases were motivated by financial gain, with scams increasing by 1000% over the last five years. The sheer scale of the damage done by cybercrime is staggering, with ₹120 crores looted through a relatively new scam called "digital arrest."
What is a Digital Arrest Scam?
In this scam, fraudsters pose as police officers or government agents,
accusing victims of being involved in serious crimes such as drug trafficking
or money laundering. Victims are coerced into believing they are under arrest
and are forced to remain on video calls while being psychologically
manipulated. To clear their names, they are pressured into paying large sums of
money, often in untraceable cryptocurrencies or gift cards.
Case Example: SP Oswal’s Digital Arrest
- Who: SP Oswal, Chairman of
Vardhman Group
- Amount Lost: ₹7 crores
- Details: Oswal was presented with fake court documents bearing the Supreme Court emblem and a fabricated virtual courtroom featuring a fake Chief Justice of India. Convinced that he was under arrest, Oswal transferred ₹7 crores to multiple accounts
Other Common Cybercrime Tactics
While digital arrest is one of the more recent scams,
several other forms of cybercrime continue to plague Indian citizens. Here’s a
breakdown of some of the most common scams:
|
Scam
Type |
Description |
Example |
|
UPI
Scams |
Fraudsters trick users into scanning QR codes that deduct money instead of receiving it. |
In
Bangalore, 41% of cybercrime cases involved fraudulent QR code scanning. |
|
Sextortion |
Victims
are blackmailed after being recorded during indecent video calls. |
Scammers
use video calls to lure victims and then demand money, threatening to release
compromising footage. |
|
AI Voice
Scams |
Criminals
clone voices of loved ones to create fake emergencies. |
A
fraudster used AI to imitate a victim's daughter's voice, asking for money to
be transferred for a fake hospital emergency. |
|
Telegram
Job Fraud |
Fake job
offers on WhatsApp/Telegram lure victims into paying for
"training." |
Victims
are added to Telegram groups and asked to perform small tasks for money
before being asked for larger sums under the guise of "training". |
|
Link-based
Cheating |
Fraudulent
links promising free prizes or gifts steal personal information. |
Victims click
on suspicious links, providing personal data and sometimes bank details,
which result in account hacks and financial theft. |
|
OTP
Scams |
Scammers
obtain OTPs from victims, accessing their bank accounts. |
Posing
as bank representatives, scammers manipulate victims into giving up OTPs,
enabling unauthorized access to accounts. |
Real-Life Testimonies: The Emotional Toll of Cybercrime
One of the most heartbreaking aspects of these scams is the emotional damage
they cause. Victims are not just losing money; they are often pushed to their
mental and emotional limits, sometimes leading to tragic consequences.
Richa Mishra's Story
- Who: Richa Mishra, a
journalist
- Experience: Richa received
a call from someone posing as a representative of FedEx, claiming that a
courier linked to her Aadhaar contained drugs. The call was escalated, and
soon, she was “digitally arrested” via a fake video conference with
"Mumbai Police." For two hours, Richa was subjected to extreme
psychological pressure, convinced that she was involved in a drug and
money-laundering ring. The fraudsters demanded money, and the experience
left her contemplating suicide due to the intense emotional toll.
Richa Mishra: "After hours of being accused and
interrogated, I started believing their lies. I thought my life was over, and
the only way out was to end it. If not for the intervention of a friend, I
might not be here today."
What to Do When You Receive a
Suspicious Call: Step-by-Step Guide
|
Step |
What to Do |
Emphasis |
|
1.
Don’t Panic |
Stay
calm. Scammers thrive on creating fear. Take a deep breath and remind
yourself not to act impulsively. |
Stay
composed:
Panicking can lead to rushed and poor decisions. |
|
2. Hang
Up |
Politely
hang up or disconnect the call immediately. Scammers will try to pressure you
into staying on the line. |
Control
the situation: You
are not obligated to continue the call. |
|
3.
Verify the Claim |
If the
caller claims to be from law enforcement or any government agency, call the
official number of that organization to verify. Look up the number yourself. |
Do not
rely on numbers provided by the caller: Always double-check using official channels. |
|
4. Do
Not Share Personal Information |
Under
no circumstances should you give your Aadhaar number, OTP, bank details, or
other sensitive information over the phone. |
Keep
information private:
Sharing details makes you vulnerable to theft. |
|
5.
Report the Call |
After
disconnecting, report the incident to the National Cybercrime Reporting
Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in)
or call the cybercrime helpline (1930). Provide all details of the
interaction. |
Act
quickly:
Reporting can help stop the scam from affecting others and may aid in
recovering funds. |
Stay Calm and Do Not Panic.
How to Protect Yourself from Cybercrime
Though
cybercrime is on the rise, you can take steps to protect yourself and your
loved ones. Awareness is your first line of defense.
- Stay Vigilant: Always question unsolicited
calls or messages that demand immediate action. If someone claims to be
from law enforcement or a government agency, verify their identity before
complying.
- Never Share OTPs or Personal
Information:
Even if the request seems legitimate, never share your one-time passwords
(OTPs), Aadhaar details, or financial information over the phone or online
without verifying the source.
- Use Multi-Factor
Authentication (MFA): Enabling two-factor authentication for your
online accounts adds an extra layer of protection beyond just a password.
- Install Security Software: Make sure your devices are
protected with antivirus and firewall software to detect and block
malicious activities.
- Report Suspicious Activities: If you suspect you’ve been
targeted by a scam, report it immediately to the National Cybercrime
Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in)
or call the helpline at 1930. Early reporting can sometimes prevent
further damage or aid in recovering funds.
- Educate Others: Share your knowledge with family and friends to help them avoid falling victim to these scams. The more informed people are, the harder it becomes for fraudsters to succeed.
Do's and Don'ts
To safeguard yourself from cyber scams like digital arrests, UPI frauds, and other online frauds, it’s crucial to follow a set of best practices. Here’s a clear breakdown of the key do’s and don’ts to help you stay safe:
|
Do's |
Don'ts |
|
Verify all communications:
Always double-check the identity of the caller or message sender, especially
if they claim to be from law enforcement, banks, or government agencies. |
Don’t trust unsolicited
calls/messages: Never trust random calls, especially if they
ask for immediate action like sharing OTPs or making payments. |
|
Use two-factor
authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA on all accounts, especially
financial and email accounts, to add an extra layer of protection. |
Don’t share personal
information: Never give out your Aadhaar number, PAN, OTP, or
banking details to anyone over the phone or online without verifying their
authenticity. |
|
Install reliable security
software: Use up-to-date antivirus and firewall software on
your devices to detect and prevent cyber threats. |
Don’t download unknown apps:
Avoid downloading apps from untrusted sources or clicking on suspicious links
that may compromise your data. |
|
Report suspicious
activities: If you suspect you’ve been scammed, report it
immediately to the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in)
or call 1930. |
Don’t act in panic:
Fraudsters exploit fear. Take time to verify claims before acting, especially
if someone threatens legal action or demands immediate payment. |
|
Monitor your transactions:
Regularly check bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized
activity, and set up SMS/email alerts for all financial transactions. |
Don’t click on suspicious
links: Be wary of links in emails or messages promising
rewards, gifts, or urgent requests. These could be phishing attempts designed
to steal your personal information. |
|
Educate yourself and others:
Stay updated on the latest types of fraud and scams, and share this knowledge
with family and friends to raise awareness. |
Don’t use public Wi-Fi for
sensitive transactions: Avoid conducting online banking or
sharing personal details over unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. |
|
Secure your devices:
Set strong, unique passwords for all your devices and accounts, and change
them regularly. Consider using a password manager. |
Don’t give in to pressure
tactics: Scammers often push for quick decisions. Always take
time to think and consult others before making any commitments. |
By following these do’s and don’ts, you can significantly reduce the chances
of falling victim to cybercrime. Stay informed share and stay cautious, and
protect yourself and your loved ones from online fraud.