Digital Arrest: Here's How You Can Protect Yourself
The "digital arrest" scam is a form of cyber fraud where criminals impersonate government officials or law enforcement officers, alleging that the victim is involved in criminal activities like drug trafficking or money laundering. Using platforms like WhatsApp or Skype, scammers contact victims, often sharing fake documents and arrest warrants to create a sense of urgency.
Here's How You Can Protect Yourself From Digital Arrest
Understanding Digital Arrest Scams and Relevant Laws
The ‘digital arrest’ fraud is a genre of contemporary cyberfraud wherein miscreants pose as officers belonging to agencies including the CBI, RBI or even the police and inform the mark that he/she is entangled in a very sensitive crime like smuggling narcotics or money laundering. That is why the victims are threatened with arrest; on the condition of non-payment, they are forced to ‘settle’ the ‘case’ for any amount the extortionist demands, regardless of their actual capability to produce any proof. While no law provokes arrests through video or online calls, scammers exploit people’s ignorance of legal procedures, even with emerging communication technologies. According to the Act, there is no provision for any form of digital or otherwise communication in the arrest procedures contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. These frameworks make it clear that legal authorities do not make arrests through calls that are made online.
Actions Leading to a Digital Arrest Scenario
Digital arrest scams involve a perpetrator contacting an individual through text or video call to impersonate fake authorities such as couriers like FedEx, customs or even regulatory agencies. Often, the prisoner is charged with possessing an unauthorized item in a parcel received earlier. The step-by-step scheme in this particular type of fraud involves increasing the level of fear: At first, the fraudster tells the target to keep the camera on and lock themselves in a room in the name of ‘case verification’. Sometimes, the fraudsters will give short notice that one must pay large amounts of money to avoid being arrested or deported for a minor offence, allowing the victim little time to give further consideration. Such actions impact doctors and teachers with ordinary citizens across Delhi, Noida and Indore
Impacts and Consequences
Digital arrest scams have resulted in notable losses and severe emotional and psychological stress. The end results include draining the life out of the victims while leaving them socially secluded, at times Itraumatised, with some having thoughts of committing suicide. For example, a 70-year-old businessman from Ludhiana lost ?7 crore, and another man from Noida, a doctor, was forced to hand over ?60 lakh. It is not just economic loss that persists, but it gets victims to such severe strain, depression, and, where details go viral, public embarrassment. Most victims feel locked in by fear and cannot seek assistance, whereas the scams cut across a broad age bracket, including those in their working years.
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Protecting Yourself Against Digital Arrest Scams
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) advises several precautionary steps:
These are important to avoid monetary losses and stress as the con artists depend on creating a perception of danger and time constraints to meet their goals
A Serious Threat, Not Mere Propaganda
Digital arrest scams are prevalent and rising, with approximately 7,000 daily cybercrime reports, a V-shaped increase compared to 2021. Considering the high levels and the remarkable effect these scams have brought, it is clear that organizational fraudulence is real and not just misinformation being relayed on social media platforms. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), along with other government advisories, persistently reminds the citizens about these scams in the hope that awareness is sometimes the best defence against this hi-tech crime`
Digital arrest scam cases are one of the demonstrations of technology integration with crime, and public awareness is still one of the last barriers to cyber threats.
FAQs
1. What is a digital arrest scam? A digital arrest scam involves cybercriminals pretending to be government or law enforcement officials and falsely accusing victims of criminal activities. Victims are threatened with arrest unless they pay a significant amount of money to “clear” their name.
2. How does this scam work? The scam typically starts with a call or message where the scammer alleges involvement in serious crimes like money laundering. Using fake documents and warrants, they instruct the victim to keep their camera on and avoid contacting others. They then demand payment to avoid "arrest."
3. What legal protections exist against digital arrests? India’s laws do not permit arrests via video calls or messages. Arrests must follow a due physical process as outlined in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
4. What are the consequences of falling victim to this scam? Victims often experience severe financial loss and psychological distress. Some report anxiety, fear, or even depression after the ordeal, as they may be isolated and unable to seek help.
5. How can I protect myself?
6. Is this scam a serious concern in India? Yes, it is. With thousands of cases reported annually, this is a rising cybercrime trend, leading to significant financial and emotional harm for victims across age groups and professions