In the ever-evolving world of cybercrime, criminals have adopted a new strategy called ‘Digital House Arrest‘ to target individuals. These scammers, pretending to be law enforcement officials, contact victims and coerce them into staying confined within their homes. Once trapped, the scammers exploit the victims’ bank accounts, leading to significant financial losses. This fraudulent activity has become increasingly prevalent in recent times.
Alarming Bank Fraud Statistics in India
According to a report by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), bank frauds in India exceeded Rs 30,000 crore during the fiscal year 2022-2023. Over the past decade, Indian banks have reported a staggering 65,017 cases of fraud, resulting in a total loss of Rs 4.69 trillion.
Diverse Tactics Employed by Cybercriminals
Cybercriminals employ various tactics, including UPI, credit card, OTP, job, and delivery scams, to deceive unsuspecting individuals. One particularly prevalent method among scammers is ‘Digital House Arrest.’ This technique involves trapping victims in their homes to defraud them. The perpetrators often impersonate law enforcement officials using AI-generated voice or video calls, falsely accusing victims of wrongdoing related to their Aadhaar or phone number. By creating a sense of imminent arrest, scammers coerce victims into transferring money.
Methods Used by Scammers
In a typical scenario, cybercriminals contact potential victims, claiming that they have sent or received parcels containing illegal substances or counterfeit passports. They may also inform the target’s relatives or friends of their involvement in a crime or accident, creating a sense of urgency. Posing as law enforcement personnel, scammers demand money from victims in exchange for closing the fabricated case. To ensure compliance, victims are coerced into remaining visible on video conferencing platforms until their demands are met.
Real-Life Example and Initiatives to Combat ‘Digital Arrest’
The first reported case of ‘Digital House Arrest’ occurred in Uttar Pradesh, where a resident of Noida fell victim to the scam, losing over Rs 11 lakh and enduring a day-long ordeal. The scammers posed as police officials, including an IPS officer from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the founder of a defunct airline, falsely implicating the victim in a fabricated money-laundering case.
To combat these cybercrimes, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) are working together to prevent spoof calls originating from overseas. These calls falsely claim to be from law enforcement agencies such as the Narcotics Control Bureau or the Central Bureau of Investigation, alleging ‘digital arrests.’ Additionally, I4C has partnered with Microsoft to address the misuse of logos belonging to enforcement agencies, which scammers abroad frequently exploit to extract money from Indian citizens. I4C has also taken to social media platforms, including Cyberdost, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, to increase public awareness.
Reporting Cybercrime Incidents
If you receive a similar call or message, it is crucial to report it to the authorities. The government has launched the Chakshu portal on the Sanchar Saathi website to prevent cyber and online fraud. Additionally, people can report such incidents to the cybercrime helpline at 1930. It is advised to remain alert and spread awareness about cybercrime to protect oneself and others from falling victim to these scams.