In recent times, there has been a surge in fraudulent activities perpetrated by cyber criminals who masquerade as representatives of various law enforcement agencies such as the State/UT Police, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and others. These criminals employ tactics like intimidation, blackmail, and extortion, often resorting to what they term as “Digital Arrests” to coerce their victims into compliance.
The modus operandi typically involves contacting potential victims and falsely informing them that they are either recipients or senders of illegal parcels containing contraband items like drugs or fake passports. Alternatively, they may claim that a family member or friend of the victim has been implicated in a criminal offense or accident and is in their custody. Subsequently, they demand monetary payments to supposedly resolve the fabricated “cases”. In some instances, victims are coerced into undergoing “Digital Arrests”, where they are compelled to remain visually accessible over platforms like Skype until their demands are met. To lend an air of authenticity, these fraudsters often operate from setups resembling police stations or government offices, even donning uniforms.
These scams have resulted in significant financial losses for numerous victims nationwide, indicating the organized nature of this online economic crime, believed to be orchestrated by transnational criminal syndicates.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), through the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), is actively engaged in combatting such cybercrimes. Collaborating with other ministries, agencies, and organizations like the RBI, I4C coordinates efforts to thwart these fraudulent activities. Measures undertaken include the blocking of over 1,000 Skype IDs associated with such scams, in partnership with Microsoft. Additionally, I4C facilitates the blocking of SIM cards, mobile devices, and mule accounts utilized by these fraudsters. Moreover, I4C disseminates alerts and educational materials via its social media platform ‘Cyberdost’ on platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and raise awareness about these scams. Upon receiving suspicious calls or communications, individuals are advised to promptly report the incident to the cybercrime helpline number 1930 or visit www.cybercrime.gov.in for assistance and support.
In essence, the MHA’s alert underscores the importance of vigilance and collaboration in combating cybercrime and safeguarding citizens against fraudulent schemes perpetrated by impersonators posing as authorities.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Alert against incidents of ‘Blackmail’ and ‘Digital Arrest’ by Cyber Criminals Impersonating State/UT Police, NCB, CBI, RBI and other Law Enforcement Agencies
Posted On: 14 MAY 2024 4:15PM by PIB Delhi
A large number of complaints are being reported on National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) regarding intimidation, blackmail, extortion and “Digital Arrests” by cyber criminals posing as Police Authorities, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Narcotics Department, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Enforcement Directorate and other Law Enforcement Agencies.
These fraudsters typically call a potential victim and inform that the victim has sent or is the intended recipient of a parcel, which contains illegal goods, drugs, fake passports or any other contraband item. Sometimes, they also inform that a near or dear one of the victim has been found to be involved in a crime or an accident and is in their custody. A demand for money is made to compromise the “case”. In certain instances, unsuspecting victims are made to undergo “Digital Arrest” and remain visually available over Skype or other video conferencing platform to the fraudsters, till their demands are met. The fraudsters are known to use studios modeled on Police Stations and Government offices and wear uniforms to appear genuine.
Across the country, several victims have lost large amounts of money to such criminals. This is an organized online economic crime and is learnt to be operated by cross-border crime syndicates.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, coordinates activities related to combating cybercrime in the country. MHA is closely working with other Ministries and their agencies, RBI and other organizations to counter these frauds. I4C is also providing inputs and technical support to Police Authorities of States/UTs for identifying and investigating the cases.
I4C has also blocked more than 1,000 Skype IDs involved in such activities, in collaboration with Microsoft. It is also facilitating blocking of SIM cards, Mobile devices and Mule accounts used by such fraudsters. I4C has also issued various alerts through infographics and videos on its social media platform ‘Cyberdost’ for e.g. X, Facebook, Instagram and others.
Citizens are advised to be alert and spread awareness about these types of frauds. On receipt of such calls, the citizens should immediately report the incident on cybercrime helpline number 1930 or www.cybercrime.gov.in for assistance.
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