Cyber ​​Watchdog warns against digital arrests by scammers

New Delhi: India’s cyber security agency CERT-In on Sunday issued an advisory highlighting several modus operandi used by cyber fraudsters, including ‘digital capture’ to dupe people by stealing their money and private data.

The advisory was issued on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his monthly radio broadcast “Mann ki Baat” warned people about such fraud and cautioned them against the ‘digital arrest’ scam, clarifying that no government agency would allow individuals to be phoned threatens or demands money. .

Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In), functioning under the ministry of electronics and information technology, said digital capture is an online scam as government agencies do not use platforms like WhatsApp or Skype for official communication. “Verify their identity by contacting the relevant authority directly,” it is recommended.

According to the advisory, in the event of a digital arrest, victims will receive a phone call, email or message claiming they are under investigation for illegal activity, such as identity theft or money laundering.

The scammer threatens the victim with arrest or legal consequences unless he takes immediate action. They often create a sense of panic to prevent rational thinking, the advice says.

A further explanation to the advisory states that in the event of a “digital arrest,” victims will receive a phone call, email or message claiming they are being investigated for illegal activities, such as identity theft or money laundering. Fraudsters then threaten the victim with arrest or legal consequences unless he takes immediate action, often creating a sense of panic to prevent rational thinking, it added.

Under the guise of ‘clearing their names’, ‘helping in investigation’ or ‘refundable deposit/custodial account’, individuals are forced to transfer large sums of money to specific bank accounts or UPI IDs, the report said.

Stressing that you should not transfer money “under pressure” as legitimate law enforcement agencies “will never pressure you to send money immediately,” CERT-IN suggested: “Take a moment to calmly assess the situation before responding. Avoid sharing personal information and never disclose sensitive personal or financial information over the phone or video calls, especially to unknown numbers.”

“Take a moment to calmly assess the situation before responding. Avoid sharing personal information and never disclose sensitive personal or financial details over phone or video calls, especially to unknown numbers,” the CERT-In said.

It stressed that people should not send money “under pressure” as legitimate law enforcement agencies “will never pressure you to send money immediately”.

“If someone asks for money over the phone or online, it is most likely a scam,” the report said, adding that staying “vigilant and informed” is crucial to protect yourself from this “emerging cyber threat.”

The advisory also addressed other online disadvantages, such as ‘phishing fraud’, where scammers create emails or messages that appear legitimate, often using logos and branding from trusted organisations; “Lottery and prize scams” ​​where victims receive notifications claiming they have won a huge amount of money and in order to claim the prize they are asked to pay processing fees or taxes.

It says scammers are exploiting ‘hope and greed’ to run lottery scams. “Emotional manipulation scams” ​​are perpetrated on online dating communication apps where scammers build emotional connections and then demand money for emergencies such as medical treatment and request that money be sent via cryptocurrency.

“Job fraud” aims to defraud recent graduates by posting fake job offers on legitimate recruitment portals or social media.

As part of “tech support scams,” cybercriminals take advantage of a user’s lack of technical knowledge and secretly gain access to their computer by warning of a virus and then steal sensitive personal data.

‘Investment scams’ take advantage of someone’s desire to make a quick buck by promising ‘unrealistic’ returns through Ponzi or pyramid schemes, and ‘cash on delivery scams’ involve criminals setting up fake online stores that accept cash on delivery orders. When the product arrives, it is counterfeit or completely different from what was advertised.