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Showing posts with label Digital Arrest. Show all posts
RBI
Banking scam Cyber Crime Digital Arrest Police Scam RBI

Don’t Be a Victim: How to Avoid Digital House Arrest

Don’t Be a Victim: How to Avoid Digital House Arrest

Criminals are using a new "Digital House Arrest" method to target individuals. Scammers contact victims and compel them to stay home by pretending to be law enforcement officials such as police officers, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) agents, or customs officials. 

They then exploit the victim's bank accounts. Numerous cases of this fraudulent conduct have recently emerged.

According to a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) study, India experienced bank frauds totaling more than Rs 30,000 crore in FY23. Over the last decade, Indian banks have reported 65,017 fraud instances, resulting in a total loss of Rs 4.69 trillion. 

To deceive naive people, cybercriminals use a variety of strategies, such as UPI, credit card, OTP, job, and delivery scams. Digital house arrest is a new popular scamming strategy.

About digital arrest

Digital house arrest occurs when cybercriminals trap victims in their homes to trick them. Perpetrators instill terror by making calls, frequently impersonating law enforcement officers via AI-generated voice or video calls.

They fraudulently accuse victims of misconduct involving their Aadhaar or phone number, creating a sense of imminent arrest and pushing them to send money.

Hackers usually contact victims and claim they shipped or received boxes carrying illegal substances such as narcotics or false passports. They may even fraudulently alert the target's relatives or acquaintances about their involvement in a crime, instilling a sense of urgency.

Criminals pose as law enforcement officers, and demand money from victims as compensation for covering the case. Victims are pressured to remain visible on video conferencing services until their requests are granted.

Forcing potential victims

Hackers use strategies such as setting up fake police stations or government offices and dressing in uniforms mimicking those of law enforcement authorities.

Uttar Pradesh Police launched an investigation into the first recorded case of 'digital arrest' in December of last year after receiving a complaint from a Noida resident.

The victim fell victim to the fraud, losing more than Rs 11 lakh and facing a day-long 'digital arrest'. Perpetrators posed as police officers, impersonating an IPS officer from the CBI and the founder of a bankrupt airline, and implicated the victim in a manufactured money-laundering case.

Government's response to frauds

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) are collaborating to combat the influx of spoof calls coming from abroad. These callers falsely claim to be from law enforcement authorities such as the Narcotics Control Bureau or the Central Bureau of Investigation, among others, and claim 'digital arrests'.

In addition, I4C has partnered with Microsoft to fight the abuse of law enforcement emblems. These logos are regularly used by scammers abroad to take money from Indian nationals.

To raise awareness, I4C has released infographics and videos on its social media platform Cyberdost and its X (Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram pages. The Ministry has asked citizens to remain vigilant and raise awareness about cybercrime.

How to stay safe?

If you get a similar call or message, contact the authorities. The government of India has launched the Chakshu portal on the Sanchar Saathi website to combat cyber and online fraud. Individuals can also report similar incidents using the cybercrime helpline 1930 or online http://www.cybercrime.gov.in.


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MHA
CBI Cyber Crime Digital Arrest Fraud Calls Law Enforcement MHA

Watch Out for Cyber Scams Impersonating Police



The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has raised an alarm regarding a spike in cybercrime, where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officers to extort money from unsuspecting victims. Collaborating with Microsoft, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has already taken action against over 1,000 Skype IDs associated with such fraudulent activities.

In a recent statement, the MHA cautioned the public against a sophisticated online scam staged by international syndicates. These criminals, masquerading as police personnel or representatives of agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), target individuals with false accusations of involvement in illegal activities or accidents. Subsequently, they demand payment to avoid legal consequences or secure the release of reportedly detained family members.

The way these fraudsters map out this course of action involves contacting victims and claiming that they have received or are about to receive a parcel containing illicit items such as drugs or fake passports. In some cases, they coerce victims into participating in simulated "digital arrests," where they are forced into appearing on video calls, lending an air of authenticity to the ruse. To support their credibility, these criminals operate from mock police stations and government offices, donning uniforms to deceive their targets.

Instances of individuals falling victim to these scams and losing significant sums of money have been reported across the country. The MHA emphasised that this form of organised cybercrime poses an unprecedented threat and is perpetrated by transnational criminal networks.

The I4C, established under the MHA's purview, serves as the focal point for combating cybercrime in India. Through its Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS), the I4C has intercepted and safeguarded over ₹600 crore from falling into the hands of online fraudsters. This online platform enables rapid reporting of financial cybercrimes, facilitating coordinated action among law enforcement agencies and financial institutions nationwide.

The MHA underscored its collaboration with various ministries, regulatory bodies like the RBI, and other stakeholders to counteract these fraudulent activities. Additionally, the I4C extends technical support and guidance to state and union territory police forces for identifying and investigating cybercrime cases.

To address this issue effectively, the I4C, in partnership with Microsoft, has initiated measures to block Skype IDs, SIM cards, mobile devices, and mule accounts used by cybercriminals. Furthermore, through its social media platform "Cyberdost," the I4C disseminates informational materials, including infographics and videos, to raise awareness and empower citizens to recognise and report cybercrimes promptly.

Given the delicate state of these scams, the MHA urges citizens to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious calls or online activities to the designated cyber crime helpline (1930) or the official website (www.cybercrime.gov.in) for assistance and intervention. By fostering a culture of awareness and heedful reporting, individuals can play a critical role in safeguarding themselves and their communities against cyber threats.


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Money Scam
Cyber Crime Cyber Extortion Cyberfraud Digital Arrest Money Scam

Digital Arrest Scam: Woman Doctor Duped for 40 Lakhs, Loses Her Entire Savings

Digital Arrest Scam

In today’s digital world, our lives are interconnected through the internet. From shopping on the web and managing finances to connecting with our loved ones, everything is done online these days. 

But the comfort also comes with some risks. 

Professor scammed with Rs 40 Lakhs 

In a recent online scam, a government medical university professor fell victim to a “digital arrest” scam and was tricked into paying a heavy amount of Rs 40 lakhs. The scam technique is called “digital arrest” where a scammer fools the victim under the disguise of law enforcement agencies. 

“An arrest warrant has been issued in your name. All your financial accounts will be frozen and they will be investigated. Till then you are put under ‘digital arrest’. After that they called me on Skype and showed me many documents which included my phone number, Aadhaar number, and which also included my arrest warrant,” she said.

The Attack: What happened?

On March 11, the professor received a call purportedly from Maharashtra. The caller alleged that a phone number issued under her ID in July 2023 was involved in illegal activities, including text message scams, phishing, and money laundering.

The call was then transferred to another individual claiming to be from the Maharashtra police headquarters. This person accused her of opening a fraudulent account in Canara Bank, Mumbai, leading to money laundering activities. The caller even spoke about an arrest warrant issued in her name.

The scammer threatened her, stating that all her financial cards, PAN, and Aadhaar had been blocked. They claimed she was under ‘digital arrest’.

To add to her distress, the scammers showed her documents via Skype, including her phone number, Aadhaar number, and the alleged arrest warrant.

The professor was coerced into transferring a staggering amount of Rs 31.31 lakh on March 11, followed by Rs 9 lakh from another account the next day.

The scammers instructed her to maintain constant communication, provide personal information, and refrain from contacting anyone else, citing national security concerns and the purported involvement of police and bank officials in the scam.

Realizing she had fallen victim to cyber fraud, she promptly reported the incident to the cybercrime police station and filed a formal complaint.

Impact of the attack

According to police, “A staggering amount of Rs 31.31 lakh was transferred by her on March 11, followed by Rs 9 lakh from another account the next day.” 

The stolen money was the professor’s entire savings, which she had kept for her kids’ studies and her future.

Triveni Singh, a former SP in the Cyber Cell and a cyber expert said that no reputable agency will request a Skype chat for reasons of investigation or arrest. There's nothing like a 'digital arrest'.


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