Prime Minister Narendra Modi warns Indian citizens about ‘Digital Arrest’, what is it?

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent episode of Mann Ki Baat, on Sunday (Oct 27), drew attention towards ‘digital arrest’ and warned the citizens about the scam. Shockingly, Indians have lost over Rs 120.3 crores in the digital arrest scam in the first quarter of 2024. 

According to data revealed by the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), about 0.74 million complaints were received between January 1 and April 30, 2024, and 46 per cent of the complaints included trading scams, investment scams, and digital arrests. 

Fraudsters video call victims and pretend to be government officials. They use pressure tactics like accusing the victim of being involved in illegal activities and asking them to stay under ‘Digital Arrest’. They ensure that their fake identities seem real and ask the victims not to end calls and leave their homes. 

During his recent episode of Mann Ki Baat, the PM mentioned that no official will investigate and ask for money or a fine over call. He also informed people that there is no such punishment as ‘Digital Arrest’ under the Indian legal system. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also explained a three-step strategy to be safe from digital arrest. He said, “Be aware that no investigating agency conducts such interrogations over the phone or video call. The three steps to digital security are: stop, think and act,” 

Modi said, the first step when you receive a call is ‘stop’ and the second is ‘think’. He stressed that no official agency like the police will threaten or ask for money over video calls. 

The third step is to take the necessary steps. He urged victims to dial 1930—the national cyber helpline—and also report these incidents on the official website cybercrime.gov.in. 

While highlighting the digital arrest during the episode, he shared that scammers often impersonate CBI, narcotics, RBI, or police and converse as fake officers. He also said that listeners of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ showed interest in discussing this issue. 

“People from every class and age group fall victim to digital arrest. People have lost lakhs of rupees earned through their hard work, out of sheer fear. Whenever you receive such a call, don’t be scared. You should be aware that no investigative agency ever inquires like this through a phone call or a video call,” PM Modi said.

During the episode, PM Modi also said that agencies have blocked thousands of video-call IDs, over lakh SIM cards, mobile phones, and bank accounts. 

He said that agencies are trying very hard to save people from cyber fraud, but for protection from these scams, every citizen must be aware of them. He also asked victims of digital arrest or other cyber frauds to share it with as many people as possible to promote awareness about these scams. 

(With inputs from agencies)