VARUN SAHAY

In a rapidly evolving digital age, digital arrests are a sinister phenomenon for internet users. What started as an isolated incident has now morphed into a more sophisticated and scary ploy to extort large amounts of money. The term digital arrest is misleading as it sounds like an official action by the police, but it is simply a fear tactic used by scammers.

Digital arrest scams operate through a well-coordinated scheme, where scammers pose as law enforcement officials such as CBI agents, tax officers, or police officers to contact victims via phone or video calls on platforms such as WhatsApp or Skype.

Scammers accuse the victim of crimes like tax evasion or financial misconduct, often causing the victim to panic. To further legitimize their claims, they use fake police station backdrops and forged documents. In some cases, the scammers have sensitive information about the victim, like Aadhar or PAN card details to appear more convincing. 

The entire act is carefully staged by the scammer to pressure the victim to send large amounts of money. This trend has become a pressing public safety concern causing victims to question social media platforms and law enforcement communication methods. Fraudsters exploit the social trust associated with police officers or other government officials. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged citizens to report such incidents to Cybersecurity authorities. The Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-in) has also issued guidelines to protect individuals against digital arrests, scams, and other cyber threats. The truth is that while this scam can happen to anyone, public awareness remains low, and many are unfamiliar with the tactics used by these scammers to gain victims’ trust.

It’s alarming to see scammers use disposable phone numbers obtained with fake identities. These temporary phone numbers allow them to change their contact frequently, making it harder for law enforcement to trace and know their identity. By regularly changing phone numbers scammers can contact multiple victims without leaving a digital trail. Scammers also use virtual private networks (VPN) to mask their identities online, making it difficult to trace their location. VPN allows scammers, to add an extra layer of anonymity.

The existing laws in India cover some of the crimes involved in these scams such as identity theft, impersonation, and criminal intimidation. There is no shortage of legal tools to address these crimes; what’s missing is public education and proper equipment for law enforcement agencies to track down and prosecute the leaders of this cybercrime network.

If an individual falls victim to such scams then the first step is to immediately contact your bank and freeze your account, then file a complaint with the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal

(cybercrime.gov.in). The individual should always keep whatever evidence they have call details, transaction details, messages, etc. The consequences of these scams extend beyond

financial loss and often leave an emotional scar where the victim feels humiliated, violated, and betrayed. The elderly, who may be less familiar with the digital world are more vulnerable to these scams.

For individuals, skepticism should be the first response to such calls. Genuine law enforcement agencies never use apps like WhatsApp or Skype for official communication, nor do they demand any kind of payment. 

In such situations, the individual should disconnect the call and independently verify the claims from the law enforcement agencies. Digital literacy has never been more critical. Tackling scams like digital arrest requires a joint effort by the government, law enforcement, and the public. By staying informed and cautious, we can take an essential step toward neutralizing these digital predators and reclaiming the security of digital spaces.