In the 115th episode of his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautioned citizens about the rising threat of ‘digital arrest’ fraud, urging vigilance against scams in which callers impersonate government officials to intimidate people and extort money. Modi assured the public, “No government agency will threaten you over the phone or demand money.”
Understanding the ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam
PM Modi detailed the fraudulent tactics involved in ‘digital arrest’ scams, where fraudsters pose as officials from the police, CBI, RBI, or narcotics department. He explained, “The first step is gathering your personal information. Next, they create an atmosphere of fear, and finally, they put time pressure on the victim.” Modi stressed that people from all demographics have fallen victim to this scam, losing significant sums of money.
Modi urged citizens to be cautious, advising three steps for digital security: “Stop, think, and take action.” He encouraged people to take screenshots, record calls, and remember that genuine government agencies neither threaten nor demand payments over calls. For assistance, he recommended calling the national cyber helpline at 1930 and reporting such cases to the police.
Recent Cases Highlighting the Issue
The ‘digital arrest’ scheme has been a growing problem in India, with high-profile cases emerging recently. Last month, Vardhman Group chairman SP Oswal lost ₹7 crore to cyber criminals who, posing as CBI officials, kept him under “digital surveillance” via Skype, falsely implicating him in a money-laundering case. The fraudsters even impersonated Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and staged a fake Supreme Court hearing online.
PM Modi’s address serves as a critical reminder of the importance of awareness and caution to combat these rising digital threats.
