A new scam called ‘Digital arrest‘ came into light that encompassed fraudsters posing as officials to extort money via video calls. The list of high-profile victims included Dr. Pooja Goel, Dr. Aarti Surbhit, and many more. In response, the government has issued warnings and blocked over 1,000 fraudulent accounts.
In the dynamic world of online fraud, a worrisome new scam comprehended as “Digital Arrest” has recently materialized. This sophisticated scam incorporates fraudsters who imitate official authorities to extort money from unsuspecting victims via video calls. Despite numerous online safety measures still being enforced, many people are still susceptible to these deceitful tactics. If you want to learn more about this scam, keep reading this blog presented by YPay.
What is the “Digital Arrest” Scam?
The “Digital Arrest” scam refers to a misleading technique where scammers imitate themselves as law enforcement or other official figures during video calls. They construct a false sense of urgency, asserting that the victim is involved in wrongful activities or has some legal problems that are still due. The scammers then proceed to solicit prompt payment to dodge arrest or legal action, leveraging the fear of legal consequences to exploit their prey.
Understand How The Digital Arrest Scam Operates
Impersonation: Scammers imitate law enforcement officials or other authoritative figures employing falsified credentials and documents to look honest.
Video Calls: They may begin video calls to create a more pragmatic atmosphere, making the interaction seem pressing and legitimate.
Construct emergencies: Targets may be told that a loved one is in some trouble, such as being met with an accident or involved in some illegal activity that leads to their arrest.
Threats and Pressure: Tricksters employ threats of legal action or arrest to coerce victims into making hurried decisions and transferring money.
Payment Requests: Victims are usually demanded to send funds instantly, often via untraceable methods, to “settle” plausible legal matters.
Recent high-profile cases
–Incident 1: Dr Pooja Goel:
A 40-year-old doctor in Noida named Dr. Pooja Goyal, a gynaecologist has fallen prey to this scam. She lost Rs 59.54 lakh to cyber criminals who imitated telecom representatives. She conveyed that the incident happened between July 15 and 16.
She took immediate action by getting this case filed at the Noida Cyber Crime Police Station. In her complaint, Goyal declared that she received a call on July 13 from a person declaring to be an officer of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
The doctor stated that a police officer from Mumbai’s Tilak Nagar Police Station had connected with her. The officer conveyed that an FIR had been registered against her for sharing pornographic videos and an arrest warrant had been issued.
The hooligans also terrorized Dr. Goyal, warning that her daughter would suffer consequences if she failed to transfer the money. After petrifying her, cybercriminals told the doctor that the only way to dodge this trouble was to transfer all her money to their bank accounts.
Out of fear, Goyal transferred Rs 59.54 lakh to the bank accounts given by the fraudsters within a two-day period, from July 15 to July 16.
She stated transferring Rs 49.54 lakh to a bank account in Ahmedabad, tailed by an additional Rs 10 lakh the next day to an account in Raipur. Goyal articulated the fraudsters compelled her to constantly stay active on WhatsApp video calls.
Moreover, the doctor was notified that she was linked to a money laundering lawsuit concerning the founder of Jet Airways, Naresh Goyal. Additionally, the National Security Act was applied to her.
-Another incidents:
In May, a doctor belonging to Noida, Dr. Aarti Surbhit, was reportedly defrauded of Rs 45 lakh by scammers pretending to be officials from the Mumbai Crime Branch. Dr. Aarti was allegedly put under ‘digital arrest’ for over seven hours, as per the police.
In another such incident, an IT engineer in Noida was duped of Rs 3.75 lakh by people imitating police officers online.
Effective Ways to Safeguard Yourself
Confirm Identity: If you receive any surprise call or message from someone who states they’re a law enforcement officer or official, it’s sensible to terminate the conversation and connect with the right authority using verified contact information.
Beware of Urgency: Stay wary of any communication that compels you to take an immediate action or makes threats. Scammers usually employ urgency to fog your judgment.
Secure Your Information: It is never recommended to share personal or financial data over video calls or with unidentified contacts.
Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect you are being targeted by a scam, it’s vital to inform the local authorities and online platforms to avert further victimization.
Stay Informed to Stay Secure
Now, the question arises how do you effectively protect yourself from several types of online frauds that tend to transpire today? Understanding scammers’ tactics is paramount for safeguarding yourself from online fraud. By keeping yourself updated about new scams such as “Digital Arrest,” it gets better to secure your personal information and avoid falling prey to these malicious schemes. Make sure to exercise caution and confirm the legitimacy of any unexpected communications, specifically those concerning financial transactions or personal perils.
