'Pay Up or Go to Jail' - What You Need to Know About Digital Arrests

Scammers are faking arrests - here's how to avoid the bait.

Scammers impersonating police officers are targeting victims with 'digital arrests'.

(Source: X/Altered by The Quint)

Imagine going through your day when a call from a police officer declares that you're under arrest. No sirens, no police officials at your door, no cuffs—just a scammer demanding money to "clear your name" from an alleged fraud you did not commit. 'Digital arrests' - where cybercriminals impersonate cops and/or government officials, tricking victims into panic payments, are now rampantly reported throughout the country. 

We break down their operation and arm you with the information required to stay safe.

Modus Operandi

• The Phone Call: Scammers contact their victims via phone or WhatsApp audio/video call. In certain cases, victims were made to download and install Skype on their devices. The unknown number, sometimes with an ISD code, may also be a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call. 

• False Accusation: Scammers instill a sense of urgency and/or fear in their victims and demand immediate action. They might allege that the victim is embroiled in illegal or criminal activities, like financial fraud, and claim to possess evidence. 

• Fake Notice/Warrants: Victims have been reportedly coerced into sharing their Aadhaar card photos, post which they are sent a fake arrest warrant or a court notice with legal provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Other fake circulars and notices mimicking government agencies'  official documents with logos have also been reportedly sent to victims demanding money. 

• Master Imposters: To further establish legitimacy, scammers are known to impersonate police officials such as constables, deputy commissioner of police (DCP) and customs officials or judges. They may claim to be officials from the following government agencies:

  - Enforcement Directorate (ED)

  - Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

  - Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

  - Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

  - Income Tax (IT)

• Elaborate Set-up: Scammers use elements found in police or government offices to convince victims of legitimacy. In a reported case, scammers recreated a courtroom with an individual masquerading as a judge, who then duped an individual out of Rs 59 lakh. 

• Money Transfer: Victims are forced to transfer money to mule accounts to avoid arrest, be released from the 'digital arrest,' or have fake criminal charges dropped.  

Red Flags

• Under Indian criminal law, there is no provision for 'digital arrests', so no law enforcement or government officials can place you under 'digital arrest.'  This indicates that the person on the other side is a scammer.

• No law enforcement agents would demand money or threaten arrest without proper legal procedures.

What to do

• Pause: Only scammers will rush you into taking immediate action by creating panic and/or threatening you with dire consequences if you disagree with their conditions. It is crucial to stop in your tracks and ask if this could be a scam.

• Decline: Do not share any IDs, including Aadhaar, PAN, passport, or bank details, or confirm the same if they claim to have access to them. 

• Verify: If someone claims to be a police or government official, ask for their name and the department. You can search for the details online and contact the relevant government and/or law enforcement agency or the local police.

• Refuse payments: No officials demand payments, fines, or bail over informal communication channels, so do not transfer any money or share your UPI, card details and/or One Time Password (OTP).

• Alert the bank: If you accidentally gave the scammer your bank details, immediately alert the bank so they can monitor your account for suspicious activity and take the necessary action to safeguard your finances. 

• Report: Report the incident as soon as possible through a government portal such as Chakshu (https://sancharsaathi.gov.in/sfc/) and the national cybercrime helpline number—1930. You can also lodge a complaint at the local police station. 

(The Quint's Scamguard initiative aims to keep up with emerging digital scams to help you stay informed and vigilant. If you've been scammed or successfully thwarted one, then tell us your story. Contact us via WhatsApp at [phone] or email us at [e-mail]. You can also fill out the Google form and help us take your story forward.)