Learn about the alarming concept of ‘Digital Arrest‘ and how it can compromise your online identity! A Digital Arrest occurs when your personal data is hijacked, and your digital life is held hostage. Understand the risks, consequences, and preventive measures to safeguard your digital presence.
One of the most complex cybercrime techniques, where a scammer poses as some government agent, law enforcement or other regulatory authority and purports to arrest the victim, is called digital arrest. It has become common for them to conduct video calls or send instant messages during the interaction to lend credibility to pretend compliance and financial demands made to them.
Modus operandi:
- Initial Contact: Scammers contact the target via phone calls, emails or messages especially through WhatsApp.
- False Accusations: Victims are targeted for allegations that they took part in money laundering / human trafficking activities.
- Arrest Threat: Victims are told that they are under digital arrest and must pay the scammers in order to get out of it otherwise they would be charged at law.
- Payments: Over time they manage to extract money or get the victim to give away sensitive financial information.
This tactic exploits the terror and chaos which ensures the ‘victims’ comply with their demands out of duress.
Why are the digital arrest threats on the rise?
- Enhanced connectivity: The internet is within the reach of many, which indeed helps the scams to proliferate by targeting more and more victims.
- Technology: The ability to make an excellent video call, fake documents, or a website made the scammer much more convincing.
- Psychological warfare: Instilling fear in the victims and a need for a quick ransom remains consistent with scams.
- Awareness: A lot of people have no knowledge of these sorts of scams and so they end up not checking whether such claims are legitimate or fake.
Digital Fraud Prevention Strategies
In order to avoid fast-emerging digital arrest scams, potential targets have to be alert all the time and be knowledgeable about the detailed and procedural requirements.
Fundamental Measures:
Calling the contact number provided: When being approached by a firm or agency, always check and verify the identity of the firm or agency that is contacting you. This entails getting the contact details of the firm from a credible source.
Do not discuss sensitive issues: Information such as Aadhaar numbers, sensitive passwords, and even bank details are never to be shared where calls and messages are involved.
Maintaining a relaxed posture: Fear is the main weapon that scammers utilise; make sure to take time to evaluate the circumstances and get opinions from trusted sources.
Disclose any erroneous transactions: Whenever you suspect any trans fraud materializing around you, ensure to inform the local authorities or the cyber crimes cells immediately.
Rationale for action
As seen through the increasing number of arrests made due to scams that digitalize the rate at which people become deceived, yes, I did say that many examples were provided for several arrest statistics to explain the operation. This particular emphasis underscores the need for law enforcement agencies to raise awareness among the public while simultaneously improving the cyber security landscape.
