The “Digital Arrest” Scam in India: What to Do if You Get a Fake Police Video Call

Consider getting a call from someone posing as the Mumbai Police, the CBI, or the Narcotics Bureau. They claim that your Aadhaar is connected to money laundering or that a package in your name contains illegal drugs. They appear official and are dressed in uniform. They inform you that until the “investigation” is finished, you are under “Digital Arrest” and cannot end the video call.

Scammers are looking for people who find this frightening. However, this is the most crucial information you should be aware of: There is no such law in India as “Digital Arrest.”

What is a Digital Arrest Scam?

An advanced type of cyber-extortion is a Digital Arrest scam. Scammers question victims via Skype or WhatsApp video calls using setups that appear professional, including fictitious police station backgrounds and uniforms. They use psychological pressure to coerce the victim into sending large sums of money as a “refundable security deposit” or “investigation fee” while they keep them “captured” on screen for hours or even days.

Seven Telltale Signs of a False Police Call

You need to be aware of these typical strategies in order to defend yourself:

1. The “Drug Parcel” Hook: They say that a courier (like FedEx) discovered drugs or forged passports in a package that you sent.
2. Artificial Urgency: They threaten to issue an arrest warrant right away unless you settle the issue right away.
3. Constant Surveillance: They require that you always have your camera and microphone turned on, even when you’re sleeping or using the restroom.
4. Demand for Secrecy: They say the case is “confidential” and advise you not to tell your lawyers or family.
5. Fake Documentation: They use WhatsApp to show you fake arrest warrants, FIRs, or Supreme Court orders.
6. Backdrops and Uniforms: Scammers frequently sit in rooms that resemble government offices while donning lifelike uniforms.
7. Payment Requests: They promise to reimburse you if you transfer funds to a “government account” for verification. To resolve a case, legitimate police will never request payment through a bank transfer or UPI.

How to Respond to a “Digital Arrest” Call

Take these actions right away if you are on a suspicious call:

• Step 1: Simply end the call. Staying on a video call with someone posing as the police is not required by law.
• Step 2: Don’t pay. Don’t transfer a single rupee, regardless of how much they threaten you. After leaving your account, the funds are transferred to “mule accounts” and are extremely difficult to get back.
• Step 3: Take a screenshot of everything. Take screenshots of the caller’s face, their WhatsApp number, and their ID card, if it is displayed.
• Step 4: Submit a 1930 report. Make a quick call to the National Cybercrime Helpline at 1930. For banks to freeze the scammer’s account, the first one to two hours (referred to as the “Golden Hour”) are crucial.
• Step 5: Submit an online complaint. Go to cybercrime.gov.in and submit your proof.

The Law’s Actual Situation

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) asserts that video calls are never used for interrogation by law enforcement organizations such as the State Police, ED, or CBI. A written warrant, in-person identification by the officer, and legal counsel are all necessary for the physical process of an arrest.

Scammers take advantage of your respect for the law and your fear. You deprive them of power by remaining composed and understanding that “Digital Arrest” is a myth. Parents and elderly family members are frequently the main victims of these callous scams, so share this post with them.