PM cautions people against ‘digital arrest’ scam by fraudsters

PM cautions people against ‘digital arrest’ scam by fraudsters

Sub : Sci

Sec : Awareness in IT

Context:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautioned people against the digital arrest scam and asked them to report such cases to the cyber helpline number 1930.
• He also urged schools and colleges to involve students in the ‘campaign to spread awareness of the menace.

What is digital arrest scam:

• This type of scam involves fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officials to defraud victims.
• Scammers typically initiate contact via phone or video calls, posing as officials from law enforcement or financial institutions like the Reserve Bank of India.
• The first step involves gathering personal information from victims.
• Then, scammers often create a sense of urgency and fear by presenting themselves in official uniforms and using government-like backgrounds and quoting legal provisions.
• They threaten victims with arrest, increasing the pressure to comply with their demands.

CERT-In advisory on online scams:

• Legitimate government agencies do not communicate via platforms like WhatsApp or Skype, indicating that such communications are likely fraudulent.
• Victims should be aware that no genuine law enforcement agency will pressure them to send money immediately.
• Confirm identity directly with relevant agencies if someone claims to be from law enforcement. Do not engage over video calls or transfer money.
• Never share sensitive details over the phone or video calls, especially with unknown numbers.
• Ensure websites use HTTPS before providing sensitive information.
• Only install apps from official app stores to avoid malware.

CERT-In shared a list of online scams:

• Phishing Scams: Scammers impersonate trusted organizations through emails/messages. Use urgent language (e.g., account suspension) to prompt immediate action, leading to counterfeit websites to capture credentials.
• Lottery and Prize Scams: Victims receive notifications claiming they’ve won a lottery, often requiring payment of processing fees to claim prizes.
• Emotional Manipulation Scams: Scammers create fake profiles on dating apps, building emotional connections before fabricating crises to solicit money, often via cryptocurrency.
• Job Scams: Fake job listings on job portals or social media, asking for application fees or training costs. Red Flags: Offers that seem too good to be true, especially requests for upfront payment.
• Tech Support Scams: Unsolicited calls from scammers claiming to be tech support, often guiding victims to grant remote access to their computers. Consequences: Theft of personal information, installation of malware, and unnecessary charges for software.
• Investment Scams: Promise unrealistic returns through schemes like Ponzi or pyramid schemes, often marketed via social media. Target individuals seeking quick financial solutions, exploiting financial illiteracy.
• Cash-on-Delivery (CoD) Scams: Fake online stores accepting CoD orders, delivering counterfeit or different products.
• Fake Charity Appeal Scams: Scammers create fake organizations to solicit donations for non-existent causes, exploiting compassion and urgency.
• Mistaken Money Transfer Scams: Scammers claim money has been mistakenly transferred to the victim’s account, creating urgency to return funds.
• Digital Arrest Scams: Victims receive messages claiming they are under investigation, often accompanied by threats of arrest unless immediate payment is made.
• Parcel Scams: Victims are told their parcel has been seized for containing illegal items, pressured to pay fines.
• Loan/Card Scams: Advertise loans with low rates and quick approvals, often requiring upfront fees.

Computer Emergency Response Team – India (CERT-IN):

• It is an organisation of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, with the objective of securing Indian cyberspace.
• It is the nodal agency which deals with cybersecurity threats like hacking and phishing.
• It collects, analyses and disseminates information on cyber incidents, and also issues alert on cybersecurity incidents.