Digital Arrest Scam: Still Going Strong, Due To Fear & Ignorance Of Law
Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator. Author of Cyber Scams in India, Digital Arrest, The Money Trap and The Human Hack
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By Sunil Garodia
First publised on 2025-09-12 07:52:33
About the Author
Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator. Author of Cyber Scams in India, Digital Arrest, The Money Trap and The Human Hack
View all posts by this Author
Early Warning By Prime Minister Modi
As early as October 2024, Prime Minister Modi had warned Indians about digital arrest in his Mann Ki Baat episode. His response was in view of the growing menace of digital scams that were harassing and looting ordinary citizens. The Prime Minister said that "beware of digital arrest frauds. There is no system like digital arrest under the law. No government agency will ever contact you via phone or video call for such an investigation."
Steps Taken By The Government
The government had also resorted to full page newspaper ads and carried out an awareness campaign over radio and TV. Officials also claimed to have blocked thousands of Skype and Whats App accounts linked to the scams. But reported cases continued to grow and the menace had not stopped even now.
The Scam Contiues
There are reports of people getting scammed and losing their life's savings to digital arrest scammers every week. In a recent case, a Mumbai women lost Rs 58 lakh. And these people are not the elderly who are not technology savvy. Even youngsters are being taken for a ride. The profiles of victims includes housewives, IT-sector executives, businessmen, professionals like doctors, lawyers and journalists and, in some cases, even known figures.
Fear & Ignorance Of Law
The scam works on fear and ignorance of law. Often, the victim is approached and informed that they have committed an act now considered illegal under Indian law (like sending or receiving a parcel that contains narcotics, for example, or bank accounts being used to launder money) and then they are forced to submit to 'digital arrest' by being under 24X7 surveillance over Skype, Whats App video call or any other app. They are hounded and scared to their wits and forced to transfer huge sums of money to the scammers to be 'released' from digital 'captivity'.
How To Avoid Getting Scammed
The best way to avoid this scam is not to entertain any such call from any unknown number and report it to the police immediately. If someone calls a person and talks about an 'illegal' act committed, it is best to disconnect the call and report it to the local police station. In no case should one keep on talking to the scammers for it is then that they will instil fear and doubts in your mind. If you have not sent or are not expecting a parcel or if your bank account is in order, why should you fall for their scam? But once the scammers start talking, fear and doubts override reason and people fall prey to the scam.
