‘Digital arrest’ is the new name of cybercrime?

A new type of cybercrime called “digital arrest” fraud is making headlines. In these scams, con artists pose as law enforcement authorities, including police or customs agents, and trick people into thinking they are about to be digitally arrested for spurious legal offenses.

Scammers are now impersonating local law enforcement or customs officers and threatening to have victims arrested on false accusations. In a panic, the victims attempt to settle the lawsuit and wind up having to pay hundreds, if not lakhs of rupees.

A 23-year-old Faridabad resident was the victim of a recent fraud in which she lost Rs 2.5 lakh to hackers posing as customs agents.

The offenders incite panic and a sense of urgency by using digital communication tools such as video calls and messaging. They also manipulate victims by using threatening language, fabricating proof, and demanding large sums of money in order to escape any legal repercussions.

The victim in the aforementioned case was forced to believe she was a part of a passport trafficking case and that she would have to pay Rs 15 lakh to keep herself from being placed under “digital arrest.” She ultimately paid Rs 2.5 lakh to resolve the matter. Throughout the encounter, the scammers advised her not to log out of Skype.

Law enforcement officials stress the importance of further investigation and are taking this cyberfraud case seriously.

Here are some things to bear in mind to avoid falling for such cybercrime:

Remain vigilant and observant: Recognize typical fraudster techniques and schemes, such as digital arrest scams.

Always confirm who is calling: If someone calls you posing as a law enforcement official, get their official identification documents and contact details to confirm their identity.

Remain composed and raise doubts about the veracity of the circumstances. Legitimate legal issues are usually resolved by official processes rather than by sudden dangers.

Never expose personal information, particularly your bank account information: Refrain from disclosing money or personal information to unidentified or unreliable people.

Always verify assertions again and get supporting documentation: Verify facts on legal allegations on your own. Confirm the veracity of any accusations by getting in touch with the appropriate legal or law enforcement bodies in your area via proper methods.

Use only official channels for communication: Only official channels are used by law enforcement organizations that are legitimate. When in doubt, use the publicly accessible contact details to independently get in touch with the appropriate agency.

Stay informed: Learn the main warning signs of scammers, which include demands for money over the phone, threats of urgent legal action, and unusual ways of payment.

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