Digital Arrest: Many such incidents have come to light, where cyber criminals pose as officers of police, CBI or any other investigating agency and threaten and blackmail them. Incidents like extortion and digital arrest are also being registered. The Home Ministry says that it is believed to be operated by a cross-border criminal syndicate. These fraudsters specialize in using studios modeled after police stations and government offices and wear uniforms to look real.
Over 1000 ID’d blocks
More than 1,000 Skype IDs involved in such activities have been blocked. SIM cards, mobile devices and accounts used by fraudsters are also being blocked.
Where can I complain?
The Home Ministry has advised citizens to beware of such frauds and spread awareness about them. On receiving such calls, citizens should immediately report to cyber crime helpline number 1930 or www.cybercrime.gov.in for assistance.
How to make prey?
According to the Home Ministry, fraudsters usually call people and say that they have sent or received a parcel containing illegal goods, drugs, fake passports or any other prohibited item. Sometimes, they also inform that someone close or dear to the victim has been found involved in a crime or accident and is in their custody.
In such alleged cases, money is demanded for settlement. In some cases, victims face digital arrest. The victim is forced to remain available to the fraudsters on Skype or other video conferencing platforms until the demand is met.
Criminals targeted many people
Many victims across the country have lost huge amounts of money after falling into the trap of such criminals. This is an organized online economic crime. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, coordinates activities related to combating cyber crime in the country.
The Home Ministry is working closely with other ministries and their agencies, the Reserve Bank of India and other organizations to combat cyber crimes. I4C is also providing inputs and technical assistance to police authorities of States/UTs for identification and investigation of such cases.
I4C, in collaboration with Microsoft, has also blocked more than 1,000 Skype IDs involved in such activities. I4C has also issued various alerts through infographics and videos on its social media platform ‘Cyberdost’.
