Digital Arrest Scam: A recent scam has caused significant financial loss for a student at IIT-Bombay, who lost Rs. 7.29 lakh after being tricked into a so-called “digital arrest” scam. This emerging type of cybercrime, which is becoming more prevalent, involves fraudsters posing as law enforcement officers and using fear tactics to extract money from their victims. Such scams have already resulted in millions of rupees being swindled from both individuals and businesses.
How a IIT Bombay Student Falls Victim to a Digital Arrest Scam
In this particular case, a 25-year-old student received a call in July from someone claiming to be an official from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The caller accused him of being involved in illegal activities, citing 17 complaints against his mobile number. To prevent his number from being deactivated, the student was instructed to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the police.
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The scam took a more alarming turn when the caller transferred him to another individual who appeared on a WhatsApp video call, dressed as a police officer. This person accused the student of money laundering and demanded his Aadhaar number. The pressure mounted, with the fraudster insisting that the student pay ₹29,500 via UPI to avoid arrest.
Soon, the student was told he was under digital arrest, leaving him unable to contact anyone. The next day, the fraudsters called again, requesting more money. The student shared his bank details, and the scammers managed to steal ₹7 lakh from his account. Only after conducting online research did the student realise he had fallen victim to a scam. He then reported the incident to the police.
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What is a Digital Arrest Scam?
Digital arrest is a type of cyber fraud where scammers pretend to be law enforcement or government officials. They use intimidation and manipulation to trick individuals into believing they are under investigation for serious offenses, such as money laundering. The scammers may use phone or video calls to create the illusion of legitimacy and threaten the victim with arrest unless they pay a sum of money.
Earlier this year, PM Narendra Modi raised awareness about digital arrest scams via his “Mann ki baat” show, advising citizens to “stop, think, and act” if they ever receive such calls. He emphasised that no legitimate investigating agency would conduct interrogations over the phone or video call.
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