JAIPUR: A new wave of cyber frauds sweeping across Rajasthan has prompted a public alert from the state’s cyber crime branch. Criminals posing as senior police officials are intimidating citizens by falsely linking their Aadhaar numbers or phone details to high-profile criminal cases—including terror and blast incidents—to extort money through fear and deception.
A Fear-Based Fraud Emerges
The Rajasthan Police Cyber Crime branch on Tuesday issued a public advisory warning citizens against a fast-spreading digital extortion scam. Fraudsters, authorities said, are posing as officers from law enforcement agencies and coercing victims into transferring money by alleging that their Aadhaar or mobile numbers are implicated in serious criminal investigations.
The scheme often begins with a call claiming to be from a police department, intelligence unit, or even the Central Bureau of Investigation. The target is told that their identity has been linked to a criminal case—sometimes citing recent high-profile incidents like the Delhi car blast—to create a sense of urgency and fear.
How the Scam Unfolds
DIG (Cyber Crime) Vikas Sharma explained that victims are typically connected to a so-called “senior officer” during the call to amplify psychological pressure. In some cases, the victims are placed under virtual “custody” on a video call, unable to disconnect, while the fraudsters interrogate and intimidate them.
“Under mental stress, many victims end up sharing bank details, UPI IDs, or even transferring money for so-called ‘verification,’” Sharma said.
The criminals exploit this fear-driven compliance to extract sensitive data or financial transfers before the victim realizes it is a scam.
Police Urge Vigilance, Not Panic
The advisory, issued under the direction of DGP Rajiv Kumar Sharma, emphasized that no legitimate police officer will ever ask for money, Aadhaar verification, or bank information over the phone.
“Citizens must remain calm and avoid responding to such calls,” the statement read.
Authorities have urged anyone receiving such communication to contact their nearest police station, dial 112, or reach out to the Cyber Helpdesk. Victims are also encouraged to report incidents on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or call 1930—the national helpline for cyber fraud.
For immediate assistance, residents can reach the local helplines 9256001930 / 9257510100 and are advised to inform their banks promptly to block or freeze suspicious transactions
The Broader Battle Against Digital Extortion
Cyber experts say that such “digital arrest” scams represent a dangerous evolution in online fraud—blending social engineering with psychological coercion. The use of real-world case references and impersonation of officials lends these scams an unsettling authenticity.
Authorities in Rajasthan, as well as in other states, are now stepping up awareness campaigns and technical monitoring to detect these calls before they spread further. As online impersonation grows more sophisticated, police officials warn that vigilance, public education, and rapid reporting remain the best defenses against such digital extortion tactics.
