Chilling cybercrime draining wallets, wrecking lives

Srinagar, Dec 17: A chilling new form of cybercrime known as the Digital Arrest Scam is spreading across the country, leaving victims financially drained and emotionally traumatised.

By impersonating law enforcement officials, scammers use fear and intimidation to extract large sums of money from unsuspecting individuals.

As digital transformation is touching new heights with each passing day, the rise in cybercrime has emerged as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by technological advancements.

Among the myriad forms of cyber offences, the “digital arrest” scam has gained notoriety, targeting unsuspecting individuals and businesses alike, exposing vulnerabilities in online security, and calling for robust countermeasures.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India recorded over 52,974 cybercrime cases in 2021, reflecting an 11.8 percent increase from the previous year.

The trend has been on the rise since 2016, with financial fraud constituting nearly 60 percent of these cases.

Notably, cyber frauds surged from 24,386 cases in 2020 to 31,142 in 2021, driven by the proliferation of digital payment systems and e-commerce.

The Digital Arrest Scam is a highly manipulative scheme where fraudsters pose as officers from agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Police, or Customs Departments.

Through video calls or phone conversations, these scammers accuse victims of fabricated crimes such as money laundering, tax evasion, or involvement in illegal activities.

Victims are then threatened with immediate arrest unless they pay substantial sums of money.

Often, these scammers go to great lengths to appear credible, including, using fake identification or uniforms, and employing fabricated case files or court documents.

Creating fake video conferences with “officials,” sometimes even impersonating judges. Victims are coerced into making bank transfers or digital payments to avoid the supposed legal consequences.

The modus operandi of these cyber criminals typically involves victims receiving calls, often from international numbers, where scammers introduce themselves as high-ranking officials.

The victims are accused of being involved in serious crimes and shown fake evidence and the scammers create urgency by threatening immediate arrest, tarnished reputations, or heavy legal penalties.

The victims are instructed to transfer money to "clear their names" or avoid legal action.