India cracks down on ‘digital arrest’ scam: Over 6.69 lakh SIM cards and 1.32 lakh IMEIs blocked
The Indian government has blocked over 6.69 lakh SIM cards and 1.32 lakh IMEIs to combat the growing menace of cybercrimes, including the latest threat of “digital arrest”. This move is part of the government’s efforts to tackle cybercrimes, which are often executed through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram.
“Till November 15, more than 6.69 lakh SIM cards and 1,32,000 IMEIs, as reported by the police, have been blocked by the Government of India,” said Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar told the Parliament in a written reply.
The concept of “digital arrest” is a scam where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials and threaten victims with arrest over fake charges. The scammers then pressure the victims to transfer large sums of money. In one recent case, a 25-year-old IIT Bombay student lost Rs 7.29 lakh to such a scam.
14C
In a recent crackdown, the Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) wing, in coordination with the Department of Telecom, blocked over 17,000 WhatsApp accounts operating from South Asian countries like Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar, which were involved in trapping Indians through digital arrests.
To deal with these scams, the government has set up the Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) to deal with all types of cybercrimes. The I4C has representatives from major banks, financial intermediaries, payment aggregators, telecom service providers, IT intermediaries, and law enforcement agencies working together to tackle cybercrime.
The government has also issued advisories to the public to be aware of these scams and to report any incidents to the national cybercrime helpline. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also urged people to be cautious and to report such incidents immediately.
The Centre and Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) also have a system in place to identify and block incoming international spoofed calls displaying Indian mobile numbers that appear to be originating within India.
The Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In) has a list of methods by which fraudsters carry out online scams, including the digital arrest scam.
Awareness is the key way
Cybercrime is a growing concern in India, with several districts emerging as hotspots. While Jamtara in Jharkhand was once notorious for online mischief, other areas like Bharatpur, Mathura, Nuh, Gurgaon, Alwar, and Bokaro are also responsible for a significant number of reported cybercrimes.
To combat these crimes, the government has set up seven Joint Cyber Coordination Teams (JCCTs) under 14C in areas like Mewat, Jamtara, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Visakhapatnam, and Guwahati. These teams focus on cybercrime hotspots and areas with multi-jurisdictional issues.
Experts emphasise that awareness is key to preventing these scams. People should be cautious of unfamiliar numbers and avoid answering calls from unknown numbers, especially those with foreign area codes. It is essential to verify personal information and financial details before sharing them.
According to the I4C public advisory, “Those making video calls are not police, CBI, Customs officials, or judges.” PM Modi also urged people to “stop, think, and take action” when faced with such scams.
Despite efforts to combat these crimes, scams continue to occur. The exact number of such crimes and the amount of money lost is unclear, as many victims do not report.
Here are some safety tips:
- Be wary of unfamiliar numbers and avoid answering calls from unknown numbers, especially those with foreign area codes.
- Never share personal information or financial details without verifying or cross-checking.
- Be aware that government or enforcement agencies do not make such calls.
- If you fall victim, report the crime to the local police, cybercrime authorities, or your internet service provider.
