Indian PM Modi warns against 'digital arrest' scam
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned Indians against an emerging online fraud known as 'digital arrest'.
Reports indicate that scammers, using video calls, pretend to be police or tax officials accusing victims of fabricated charges. They instruct their targets to remain at home under the guise of a 'digital arrest' and urge them not to contact anyone.
Narendra Modi clarified that 'digital arrest' is not recognized in Indian law, and no law enforcement agency would request personal information through calls or video interactions.
'The scammers impersonate officials from the police, Central Bureau of Investigation, narcotics departments, and sometimes the central bank,' Modi explained.
The fraudsters use a professional setup resembling police stations, tax offices, or federal agencies, complete with official-looking uniforms and fake identification. They often claim the victim has been implicated in illegal activities, such as sending parcels with prohibited goods or having their phone linked to criminal activity. The use of deepfake videos and fabricated arrest warrants has also been reported as part of this elaborate scheme.
In one case in August, Bengaluru police arrested several individuals after a victim reportedly lost over 20 million rupees (around $237,000) to this scam, according to local media.
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