Beware: Digital Arrest Scams Are on the Rise, Don't Be the Next Victim

In today’s digital age, scams are more sophisticated and widespread than ever, posing a significant threat to your financial security and personal information. The risks are numerous and varied, from phishing attacks that trick you into revealing sensitive data to online shopping scams that lure you with fake deals to investment fraud that promises unusually high returns. In this regard, there’s an exciting scam happening nowadays named ‘Digital Arrest.’

Let’s find out what Digital Arrest is and how it can impact your finances:

What is Digital Arrest?

A digital arrest can be described as one of the phone scams where a person introduces themselves as a law enforcement agency or government official, claiming that there is an action or a warrant against their name. These scammers claim you must make certain payments within the shortest time possible to resolve a particular dispute, be dragged to court, arrested, imprisoned, or have their bank accounts frozen. It often works hand in hand with threats to intimidate the recipient so that they release cash.

These callers tend to have mastered the art of technology whereby they use genuine looking numbers from courts, police or any other forming agency and thus make it credible. They might even have your identity details to make it safer to carry out the operation truthfully. Once they make you afraid, they offer ways through which you can pay the fines/penalties in forms that can’t be traced and this can be through the use of gift cards, cryptocurrencies, money transfers etc.

However, due to this type of digital arrest scam, many people lose their hard-earned money every year without knowing what happened. According to the FTC, individuals fell victims to these scams resulting to losses of about $185 million in 2021.

Is there any Digital Arrest Procedure in Indian Law Enforcement?

Despite warnings from Indian authorities, many people, including doctors, lawyers, and even high-profile business executives, continue to fall victim to digital arrest scams. It’s important to remember that there is no such thing as “digital arrest” in Indian law, and these scams can be avoided by being cautious and verifying the authenticity of such calls.

How to be Saved from Digital Arrest:

If you get a phone call from a man or woman claiming to be a police officer telling you to send money for a fine or to clear a warrant, they are most likely fake. Police officers will never, out of the blue, tell someone they need to pay a fine immediately using gift cards, cryptocurrencies, wire transfers, or any other method you could think of. So, if callers want to know, money must be sent immediately through such irreversible platforms, and it has to be a scam.

Steps Through Which You Can Save Yourself From Digital Arrest Scam:

Recognize Red Flags:

Whenever you find yourself on such a call, find out that it is a scam in the following ways: These are: demanding payment on the telephone, threatening with immediate arrest, calling from an unknown or unavailable number, and not providing the details of the case in writing.

Stay Calm:

There is no need to be alarmed or pressured, and you should not get overwhelmed by threats of litigation. I remember that real police and government would never come to you and beg for money or other forms of payment. Seriousness should not be disputed with haste actions and quick decisions.

Always, or almost always, there is a warning to not share personal information:

Do not disclose these details to the caller or any of the following information: Aadhaar number, PAN number, OTP, or bank details. Of course, fundamental authorities already know all about you and will not bother with trivia, such as your ID number or DoB.

Ask for Identification:

Suppose the caller refuses to give his or her name. In that case, ask for the name of the caller, position, department and office, telephone number, and any other identification that the caller feels is appropriate. Discussing further and getting it in writing through the post or e-mail is essential.

Record the Call:

Write down the phone number and record the conversation in case one wants to start complaining at some other time.

Consult Official Sources:

Contact the police or concerned department at the officially advertised numbers to check whether any case or warrant is outstanding in your name. Never take for granted information that the scam caller will relay to you.

Lodge Police Complaint:

If you find out it was a scam call, do not wait and report the matter to the police. It will help identify scammers and prevent them from occurring again. Share the call recordings with the police and start sharing the details.