Today i got a call from an
unknown number (+1877776503345) and the IVR tells me that the call is from the
Airport Authority of India and all the numbers linked to my number shall be
deactivated immediately and if i need to stop that i need to press 1. So what I
pressed, then the line connects to a man introducing him as the Sr. inspector
and he tells me to confirm my mobile number and name to which swiftly did. Then
he said that there are few flights booked on my name and cancelled, and I have
filed for cancelled ticket refunding. This was an illegal activity and he shouted at me asking why I did so. Despite my denial he din't agree and pretended to be serious and
warned me to lodge a case against me and transfer the case to the international
court. I apprehended something wrong the way he handled the entire call then I
handled it in a way that he had no other option but to drop the call.
But think of any common man when
he gets such a call from any govt. agency and hears of cases being filed, he
would have been panicked and got into the trap.
this is called digital fraud
and leads digital arrest.
What exactly is the Scam
called ‘Digital Arrest’?
“Digital Arrest” is
relatively new and increasingly common kind of online fraud. In this type of
fraud artists poseing as police officers or someone from the government and
commit the crime.
Understanding the Scam
The “Digital Arrest” actually
starts with a call or a video call from a man who pretends to be a police
officer, official or even a judge. The caller warns the victim that he or she
has been under investigation for a serious crime such as money laundering,
human trafficking or drugs trafficking. In order to make the scam more
believable, the fraudsters might present fake documents, use logos from police
stations and make video calls while their colleagues dress in police uniforms.
How the Scam Works
- Initial Contact: The victim gets a
routine call or a video call from the scammers as a police officer.
Scammer tells the victim that he is under investigation and that he has to
cooperate in order not to be arrested.
- Creating Urgency: These fraudsters
design the appearance of the email in a way that makes the victim feel
that their accounts are frozen and that they must unfreeze it immediately.
It also can even intimidate the victim with the promise of immediate
arrest if he or she does not conform.
- Requesting Money: The perpetrator
tricks the victim into sending money to their account by offering to clear
their name or threatened with arrest. The fraudsters may supply a bank
account number and identify as requiring secrecy; the victim should not
tell anyone.
- Continuous Communication: The scammers
keep pestering the target, and put them under psychological pressure
making them unable or unwilling to contact authorities or investigate the
claims.
- Extraction of Sensitive Information: Sometimes,
the fraudsters may request other private details such as the account
number, password or other related identifiers, in the name of formulating
an investigation.
Prevention and Awareness
To protect oneself from falling
victim to the "Digital Arrest" scam, it is crucial to be aware of the
tactics used by fraudsters and take preventive measures:
- Verify the Caller: In any case you must
try to identify the caller and then call the local police department or
any other governmental institution.
- Do Not Share Personal Information: In
regard to detail section and privacy, never provide any details related to
personal or even financial character through the phone or targeted video
number with unidentified person.
- Report Suspicious Calls: In case a
person feels that it is a fake call they should promptly report it to the
local police or cybercrime department.
- Stay Informed: Be familiar with the
current scams and fraud practises that can be used by potential threats.
What to Do If You Ever get
scammed?
In case you come across a digital
scam, it is good to try and follow the steps below to minimize the losses and
seek help:
- Report the Scam: It is recommended that
you contact your local police or cybercrime to make a complaint. You can
report cyber-crime through National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or
through National Toll-free Helpline number 1930.
- Notify Financial Institutions: Advice
your bank or credit card Company about the scam. They can act to protect
your accounts and stop more charges you did not authorize.
- Seek Legal Advice: Inform yourself
regarding your legal possibilities and ways in which you can salvation
your losses with the help of the lawyer specialized in cybercrime.
- Contact Consumer Protection Agencies: Contact
the relevant consumer protection agencies for help.
- Use Support Networks: Attach yourself
to groups and relevant organizations that deal with the aftermath of being
scammed. These networks may provide emotional support, legal aid and
information on how to get back into the society.
