Cyber Crime
MHA Establishes a High-Level Committee to Investigate Digital Arrest Scam, Ensure Immediate Action
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has established a high-level committee to tackle the rising cases of digital arrest scams and other cyber fraud incidents. This committee, under the direct oversight of the Home Ministry’s Internal Security Secretary, has been mandated to take swift and decisive action against the perpetrators involved.
As part of the nationwide effort, the Ministry’s Cybercrime Coordination Centre, known as I4C, has reached out to police departments across all states and union territories, informing them about the new committee and the critical measures being taken.
According to sources, over 6,000 digital arrest complaints have already been filed this year. In response, I4C has blocked six lakh mobile numbers linked to the scam, which targets individuals by falsely implicating them in fabricated drug trafficking and money laundering cases. The Centre has also blocked at least 709 mobile applications suspected of involvement in similar scams. Additionally, authorities have frozen 3.25 lakh fake bank accounts used in various cyber fraud schemes.
Amid the rapid increase in digital arrest scams across the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently addressed the issue during his “Mann ki Baat” broadcast. He urged citizens to be vigilant, advising them to “stop, think, and take action” when confronted with suspicious activities, and emphasized that there is no legal basis for a “digital arrest.”
Understanding Digital Arrest Scams
Digital arrest scams represent a recent form of cyber fraud, in which criminals impersonate law enforcement officers, often using video or audio calls, to threaten and intimidate individuals under the pretense of a fictitious arrest. Victims are often held “digitally hostage,” forced to surrender money or sensitive information to escape the fabricated charges.
Earlier this week, the Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In) issued a detailed list highlighting the various methods fraudsters are using to exploit people online, with digital arrest scams being one of the prominent tactics used to steal money and personal data.