Have you ever received a fraudulent call where you were told the police would arrest you soon? In such digital arrest frauds, scammers pretend to be police or government officers and try to scare you into sending them money. They may give any reason that would look valid on the call. So, how do we keep ourselves safe from this?
In this guide, we would explain how digital arrest fraud works, how to see the warning signs, how to protect yourself from digital arrest fraud and more.
What is Digital Arrest Fraud?
It is a new kind of online scam wherein a person gets a call or message from someone pretending to be a police officer or a government official. The fake officer may say your Aadhaar card is used in a crime, a parcel was sent in your name or your name has come up in something illegal.
Next, they would ask you to pay a fine by sending money online so you can save yourself from getting arrested. The scammers often show a fake police ID, FIR and also come on the video call wearing a police uniform. That’s why some people get scared and fall into this. However, it is all fake.
How the Scam Works
Here is a step-by-step guide on how the digital arrest fraud works:
- You get a fake call or WhatsApp message from someone saying they are a police officer or a cybercrime officer.
- Next, they say your name or Aadhaar card is linked to a crime.
- They build fear and pressure and tell you that you would be arrested if you don’t do what they say.
- They would also say you are under “digital arrest,” meaning you cannot disconnect the call or talk to anyone else.
- They then ask you to pay a fine by sending money online.
- Once you send the money, they disappear.
Real-Life Case Examples
- Mumbai Case: An elderly woman from Mumbai received a call from a scamster posing as a CBI officer. The scamster asked her to stay home and not contact anyone until she was safe. Over two months, the woman lost ₹20 crore to this digital arrest fraud.
- Delhi NCR Case: A family in Noida received a fake call from someone saying they were put under digital arrest for being linked to money laundering. During this fraud, the family lost ₹1 crore.
Red Flags and Warning Signs
Here are signs that it could be a digital arrest fraud:
- Someone is telling you about a crime or an arrest through a call or WhatsApp.
- The caller asks you not to hang up the call or talk to anyone else.
- They ask you to pay money quickly via UPI or bank transfer.
How to Protect Yourself from Digital Arrest Fraud
Here’s how to protect yourself from digital arrest fraud:
- Stay calm and do not panic; fraudsters want you to be scared.
- If something feels wrong, end the call right away.
- Never share your Aadhaar, PAN, bank information, or OTPs.
- Do not make any payment. Police will never ask for money through calls or UPI.
- If you are worried, contact the local police station directly.
- Use the cybercrime website or call 1930 to report the fraud.
What to Do if You Fall Victim
If you fall victim to digital arrest fraud, here are certain things you must do:
- Inform your bank and block your account if needed.
- Block the phone number or WhatsApp contact.
- Go to www.cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930 to report.
- You can also go to your nearest police station and file a report.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that digital arrest fraud is a serious scam. But if you know how digital arrest fraud works, then you can certainly protect yourself from such situations and keep yourself safe.
Also, if you need quick money, do not trust strangers. Use safe and trusted apps like CASHe. CASHe gives instant personal loans of up to ₹3 lakh. You can apply using the CASHe app and get loan approval within a few minutes.
