The rise of ‘digital arrest’ scams in India

The MHA and the CERT-IN, a cybersecurity agency under the Ministry of Information and Technology, have done so issued a series of opinions for people, urging them to report suspected scams directly to the I4C via the emergency helpline, 1930.

These advisories also emphasize that prompt reporting increases the chances of recovering stolen money and preventing further losses.

Modus operandi

The cybercriminals typically contact their targets via phone or email, posing as law enforcement officers. They use fear and intimidation to manipulate victims into transferring money by creating elaborate scenarios that suggest the victim is involved in illegal activities.

“They threaten you and say if you hang up, they will make sure you never get out of jail,” said Srinivas Kodali, an independent cybersecurity researcher.

The scam often starts with a few phone calls, followed by a video call, where the scammer appears as a police officer, judge or other official. They can even use images of real police officers, lawyers and judges from social media profiles to make their stories more believable.

Victims are then shown fake arrest warrants, legal notices, or official-looking documents sent via email or messaging apps. The most common charges in these scams include money laundering, drug trafficking, and cybercrime.

For example, the scammer may claim that it is a ‘money laundering case’ or that ‘medicines addressed to you have been intercepted’.

In some cases, criminals fabricate evidence to make the accusations seem more credible.

In one such case in the country, a 44-year-old techie in Hyderabad was put under ‘digital arrest’ for nearly 30 hours by cyber criminals in a fake money laundering case.

The scammers may also attempt to emotionally manipulate the victims.

“It can happen in many ways. They might say, ‘We arrested your son. If you want him to be released, you have to pay,” Srinivas explained.

“If the father can’t reach the child, he might believe it. You make a parent afraid for their child,” he added.

A report by the cyber wing of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) I4C has revealed that several call centers in countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand have been linked to the ‘digital arrest scam’.

These call centers are often located in Chinese casinos in Cambodia, where issues of cyber slavery are also a major problem, the report said.

While the core of these operations take place abroad, the report highlights that approximately 30 to 40 percent of fraudulent activities can be traced back to India, where local call centers are also actively involved in perpetrating the scams.