Despite online campaigns and warnings by Prime Minister Narendra Modi about rising ‘digital arrest’ scams in India, fake police call cases continue to grow across the country. In a recent case from Pune, an 81-year-old father helped stop one such scam just in time.
What Is Digital Arrest
Digital arrest is a type of scam where fraudsters pretend to be police or government officials to scare people into sending money. They usually contact victims through calls or apps like WhatsApp or Signal and falsely claim that the person is involved in a serious crime such as drug trafficking, money laundering or illegal parcels.
The scammers then threaten arrest or legal action and often force the victim to stay on a video call for hours, creating a situation they call ‘digital arrest.’ They also warn victims not to speak to anyone else.
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In reality, there is no such thing as a digital arrest. Police in India do not arrest people over phone or video calls. This is purely a tactic used by fraudsters to create panic and pressure.
Once the victim is scared, the scammers ask for personal details like Aadhaar, bank information, or OTPs,and eventually demand money to ‘close the case’ or ‘clear the name.
The end goal is simple — scare people into transferring money.
How An Elderly Father Saved Family From Digital Arrest Scam
According to reports, his son, a chemical engineer, received a WhatsApp call from an unknown number on April 19 around 11 AM. The caller claimed to be from the Mumbai Police Crime Branch and said a parcel in his name had been seized. It allegedly contained passports and narcotics.
The victim denied any link to the parcel, but the pressure quickly increased. He was told that a high-level investigation would be launched. Soon, the scammers asked him and his wife to install the Signal app and join a video call.
During the call, a man dressed as a police officer appeared on screen. He repeated the accusations and warned them not to share any details with anyone. The couple was then kept on call for hours and mentally pressured.
Later, the fraudsters demanded Aadhaar details and bank information. They also asked for Rs 12 lakh, saying the case would be closed after payment. At this point, the victim’s father noticed something was wrong. Seeing his son under stress, he stepped in and questioned him.
That is when the family realised it was a scam. They immediately disconnected the call and informed the police. A formal complaint has been filed. Thanks to the father’s quick action no money was lost.
How To Deal With Such Scams
– If you ever face a ‘digital arrest’ scam, the most important thing is to stay calm and not panic.
– Scammers depend on fear to control your actions.
– The moment someone threatens you with arrest over a phone or video call, disconnect immediately.
– No real police officer will ask you to stay on a call or conduct an investigation through apps like WhatsApp or Signal.
– Do not share any personal or financial details under pressure. This includes your Aadhaar number, bank details, OTPs, or passwords.
– Government agencies never ask for such information over calls. Also, never transfer money to “settle” a case or avoid arrest. That is a clear red flag.
– If the caller claims to be from police, CBI, or any authority, verify it yourself. You can hang up and contact your nearest police station directly. You can also report such incidents on the cyber crime helpline or the official portal.
– Always inform your family or someone you trust. Talking to someone can quickly break their control.
