For the past few months, cases of 'digital arrest' fraud have come to the fore in multiple cities of India including in Punjab. Digital Arrest is a new method used by cyber fraudsters when they take people hostage. Cyber fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officers and claim that serious charges have been filed against the victim. These criminals gather personal information about their targets and then use it to intimidate and manipulate them.
This form of digital kidnapping keeps the victim under the criminal's control for an extended period. As a result, the victim complies with the criminal's demands out of fear. Digital arrest refers to the situation where an individual, despite being in their own home, is under the mental and digital control of someone else. During the digital arrest, fraudsters extort money from victims. Now, the question arises how victims can recover their money lost in digital arrest fraud? Below is everything you need to know-
How can victims recover money from digital arrest fraud?
Step 1- Call 1930 immediately the moment you realise you have been scammed in a digital arrest fraud. Complain by dialling 1930. This initiates the process to trace and put multiple layers of bank accounts on hold where the scammed money was transferred.
Step 2- File an FIR against the crime in your local police station as soon as possible.
Step 3- File a petition in the court under Section 503 of the BNNS, requesting the judicial body to direct the police to submit a factual report on the case.
Step 4- Work with the police to ensure they promptly submit a report detailing the amounts frozen in different accounts.
Step 5- Your lawyer must present the police report and your bank statements as evidence to establish that the frozen money belongs to you.
Step 6- Once the court verifies the claim, it may order the banks to release the frozen money to your account. However, you will be required to provide a surety equal to the refund amount, which will remain with the court until the case is settled.
Punjab Police's Advisory on Digital Arrest Frauds
- Do not panic if a call is received from anyone claiming to be from a Law enforcement agency alleging involvement in a crime.
- Report on sancharsaathi.gov.in to block the mobile number and report at the local Cyber Crime Police Station.
- Never share bank details or Aadhar card number with any caller.
- Do not answer questions asked by unknown callers.
- Report fraud calls and block the number on Chakshu portal of DoT on URL sancharsaathi.gov.in.
Famous Digital Arrest Case in India
In November 2024, a video went viral on social media in which a cyber fraudster dressed like a senior Police official sitting in a fake police station mistakenly called a real Police officer. The cyber wing of Thrissur police is currently investigating a scammer who accidentally called a police officer, posing as a cop from Mumbai. The fraudster claimed the recipient was involved in a major cybercrime, with their Aadhaar number linked to illegal activities on the "dark net."
The video was shared by the Police in which the fraudster warned the receiver that they were "virtually arrested" i.e. 'Digital Arrest'. However, the person on the other end was sub-inspector Feesto T D from the Thrissur cyber cell. Without revealing his identity, Feesto played along, keeping the caller engaged to gather evidence.
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