The Rise of Digital Arrest Scams
Digital arrest scams are a rapidly growing cybercrime. It often starts with a call from someone posing as law enforcement or a government official. They sound official and cite crimes like drug trafficking or money laundering, using your personal details to sound convincing. This growing cybercrime is called a digital arrest scam, a fear-driven fraud designed to manipulate you into compliance.
How Scammers Get Your Data and Deceive You
Scammers frequently use data from major breaches to construct convincing victim profiles. For example, breaches like the BoAt incident (April 2024), which exposed 7.5 million records, or Hathway’s leak of Aadhaar and passport details, provide a wealth of personal information. This data, readily available on the dark web, is then used to personalize attacks, making their claims more believable. Even physical documents you’ve submitted to seemingly legitimate but unsecured systems can be compromised. Fraudsters might email you forged police letters or legal notices, often claiming you’re involved in criminal activities, using scans of your own passport or ID proofs.Tools of Deception
Fraudsters spoof phone numbers to look like police or government lines and use video calls with fake uniforms and backdrops. They also send forged emails, SMSes, or websites mimicking official government domains (look for @gov.in or @nic.in).Who is the Target?
No one is truly immune to these scams, as fraudsters tailor their approach based on the victim’s vulnerabilities:- Elderly individuals are often targeted due to their trust in authority figures.
- Students may fear reputational damage that could jeopardize their academic or professional future.
- Professionals are manipulated through threats of job loss, public shame, or legal repercussions.
Common Payment Traps
Scammers often direct victims to fake websites with “typo squatting” (minor misspellings of legitimate URLs) and even use SSL certificates to mimic secure banking gateways. Victims unknowingly enter their UPI or card details, believing they are making a legitimate and secure payment.AntiFraud.AI: Detecting and Blocking Scams
India’s first fraud prevention solution, AntiFraud.AI is ‘Made in India’ solution that is revolutionizing digital safety against the escalating threat of financial fraud. Some of the key features are:- Fraud Call Alert: Warns you before answering spoofed scam calls.
- Screen Share Alert: Alerts you if your screen is being shared.
- Banking Fraud Detection: Detects suspicious activity and alerts you instantly.
- Secure Payments and Payee Name Announcer: Reads payee names aloud and identifies suspicious payment links.
- Call Forwarding Alert: Alerts you to SIM or call-forwarding manipulations.
- Post-Fraud Help: Assists in reporting, blocking transactions, and recovery.
Your Safety Checklist
- Don’t share OTPs or personal data.
- Never trust unsolicited video/audio calls.
- Arrests can’t happen digitally; no real warrant is sent via email.
- Verify all government communications.
- Don’t blindly click on any link; it may be a fraudulent/ phishing threat.
- Regularly check government websites for the release of fraudulent web notices/user digests for awareness.
- Install software like Antifraud.AI that can easily detect fraudulent activities and alert you, and ensure your digital security.
Report Scams
- https://cybercrime.gov.in – Report cybercrime complaints (National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal)
- https://www.cert-in.org.in – Indian Computer Emergency Response Team
- Call 1930 – Cybercrime Helpline Number
- Visit your nearest cyber police station for support
