Cybercrime is rapidly increasing in India. Scams are happening daily, and people’s hard-earned money is ending up in the bank accounts of fraudsters. Hackers are using various tactics to deceive people, and a new scam is emerging under the guise of TRAI, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. This scam is highly dangerous, and a single mistake could cost you dearly. Here’s what you need to know.
TRAI Warns the Public
In response to the scam, TRAI itself has issued a warning to the public. TRAI posted on X (formerly Twitter), alerting people that if they receive a call claiming to be from TRAI and warning that their phone number will be deactivated by night, they should be cautious as it’s a scam. TRAI has urged people to report such calls on the Chakshu Portal. They have advised against pressing any buttons or clicking on any links provided in these calls, as they are part of the “Digital Arrest” scam.
अचानक से TRAI 📞 ने कि आपका नेटवर्क disconnect करने की बात 🧐🤔
सावधान रहे, ये एक scam है !
आपका अगला कदम ? रिपोर्ट करें चक्षु के साथ https://t.co/6oGJ6NSQal पर#SafeDigitalIndia pic.twitter.com/Zmkwj2Rjzg
— DoT India (@DoT_India) November 9, 2024
The Rise of Digital Arrest Scams in India
According to government data, between January and April 2024, Indians lost approximately ₹120.3 crore to “Digital Arrest” scams. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted this alarming trend in the 115th episode of Mann Ki Baat on October 27, stressing the importance of vigilance against cybercrimes.
The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) reported around 740,000 cybercrime complaints in the first quarter of 2024 alone. In 2023, a total of 1.56 million complaints were filed, a significant increase from 966,000 in 2022 and 452,000 in 2021.
Rajesh Kumar, CEO of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C), shared that during this period, the financial loss from cybercrimes included ₹1,420.48 crore in trading scams, ₹222.58 crore in investment scams, and ₹13.23 crore in romance/dating scams.
What is the Digital Arrest Scam?
The Digital Arrest Scam is an advanced and manipulative form of fraud. It usually begins with a phone call, where the caller threatens the victim with allegations of involvement in illegal activities or smuggling. The scammer, impersonating a police officer on a video call, demands money to avoid arrest or legal action. Out of fear, many people transfer money to the fraudster. The scammer often insists that the victim stay on the video call while making the payment to keep them engaged.
Stay cautious, be vigilant, and report any suspicious calls.
(Photo Credit: Freepik)
