Thursday, 24 October 2024

The Rise of 'Digital Arrest' Scams

Digital arrest scams are becoming more common, where scammers use fear to trick people into paying large sums of money. These scammers pretend to be police officers, saying that the victim is involved in illegal activities or owes legal fines. They create a sense of urgency, pressuring victims to act quickly to avoid getting arrested or facing severe consequences.

One of the key techniques employed in 'digital arrest' scams is the use of surveillance tactics. Scammers often instruct their victims to stay on a video call using platforms like Skype or Zoom, requiring them to switch to a video call on their phone if they move to another room. This manipulation creates a false sense of surveillance, making victims believe they are constantly being monitored.

The scammers leverage this method to heighten fear and anxiety, convincing victims that they are under serious investigation and must comply with demands to avoid dire consequences. This psychological pressure can lead individuals to act against their better judgment, often resulting in substantial financial losses.

Recent Examples of Real-Life Scams:

Teacher Gets Scam Call About Daughter In Sex Racket, Dies Of Heart Attack

Malti Verma, a teacher in a government school in Agra

A tragic incident involving a scam call has led to the death of a 58-year-old, a government school teacher, Malti Verma. Mrs. Verma received a WhatsApp call from a person posing as a police official, who claimed that her daughter was involved in a sex racket. In a panic, the caller demanded her to deposit ₹1 lakh to secure her daughter's safety and prevent any legal action.

Ms. Verma's health rapidly deteriorated after the call. She passed away shortly after arriving home, reportedly due to a heart attack triggered by the stress of the situation

The chairman and managing director of the Vardhman Group has lost a lot of money to such frauds

SP Oswal, the chairman and managing director of the Vardhman Group, recently became a victim of a sophisticated scam, losing over ₹7 crore. The scammers convinced him that he was under investigation for money laundering, using elaborate tactics that included impersonating the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and presenting fake documents. To add credibility, they even invoked the name of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.

The victims are told that the scamsters want to help them and are threatened, like in Mr Oswal's case, with violations of laws like the stringent Official Secrets Act if they even discuss what they are going through with anyone else.

Fake police officers threaten digital arrest

A 40-year-old doctor in Noida who lost nearly ₹60 lakh in a digital arrest scam. The doctor received a call from someone posing as a police officer, who falsely claimed that she was implicated in a case involving the distribution of pornography and money laundering. Under threats of legal action and arrest, she was coerced into transferring money, believing it was the only way to resolve the situation

What are the alarming steps in ‘digital arrest’?

The 'digital arrest' scam typically unfolds in several alarming steps that prey on the fears of the victims:

Initial Contact: Victims receive phone calls informing them that they are implicated in serious crimes, such as money laundering or drug trafficking. The callers often threaten significant jail time unless the victim cooperates. In some cases, like that of Mr. Oswal, the scam may begin with warnings about their phone numbers or internet connections being disconnected.

Creating Credibility: Scammers use various props to convince victims of their legitimacy, including uniforms, official-looking documents, ID cards, and even studios designed to resemble agency offices. This tactic aims to enhance the authenticity of their claims.

Continuous Surveillance: Victims are instructed to keep their cameras and microphones on at all times, which intensifies the feeling of being monitored. This tactic instills fear and anxiety, with constant warnings of severe consequences if they do not comply.

Isolation Tactics: Scammers often warn victims against discussing the situation with anyone, further isolating them and deepening their sense of fear and urgency.

Financial Exploitation: Once sufficiently scared, victims are coerced into complying with the scammers' demands, often resulting in significant financial losses, ranging from lakhs to crores.

These manipulative techniques highlight the psychological strategies scammers use to exploit their victims.

What You Can Do?

To combat the rising threat of 'digital arrest' scams, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) emphasizes the importance of vigilance and awareness among citizens. Here are some steps you can take:

Stay Informed: Be aware of the tactics used by scammers, such as impersonating law enforcement officials and creating a sense of urgency. Knowing how these scams operate can help you recognize suspicious calls.
Report Suspicious Calls: If you receive a call that seems fraudulent, report it immediately. You can contact the cybercrime helpline at 1930 or visit cybercrime.gov.in for assistance. Prompt reporting can help authorities take action against scammers.
Spread Awareness: Share information about these scams with friends and family. The more people are aware of the tactics scammers use, the less likely they are to fall victim.
Seek Support: If you or someone you know has been targeted, don’t hesitate to reach out for help from local authorities or cybercrime units.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) is actively working with various ministries and agencies to combat cybercrime and provide technical support to police authorities for investigating such cases.

The police and experts have encouraged people to report all suspicious calls through the police helpline or cyber helpline 1930.

How to Stay Safe?

With such scams growing in numbers, it is important to stay vigilant and safe. These are the steps to be taken to ensure one doesn’t fall into the trap:

1. Verify information before acting.

2. Don’t click on suspicious links.

3. Confirm transactions with banks.

4. Report suspicious calls/numbers.

5. Be cautious of high-return schemes.

6. Update KYC in-person.

7. Don’t share personal/bank details.

Suchismita Soren

Business Development Manager

Asiatic International Corp

suchismita.asiatic@gmail.com

www.asiaticincorp.com