Maharashtra Cyber ​​Department has issued an alert cautioning citizens about fraudsters impersonating CBI and police officers.

The Maharashtra Cyber ​​Department has issued an alert warning citizens about the widespread digital arrest fraud, in which scammers pretend to be police or CBI officers and accuse the victim of a crime and induce them to pay money . The advisory states that scammers use fake documents to avoid arrest and demand money. The advisory also states that one should never make payments or share any personal information and such claims should always be verified from official sources. In the latest Mann Ki Baat episode on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also talked about the menace of 'digital arrest' scam and took steps to tackle this cyber crime.

In his address, the PM had said that those calling under digital arrest fraud talk with great confidence by calling themselves officers of Police, CBI, RBI or Narcotics Department. “The first step involves collecting your personal information. Step two is to create an atmosphere of fear, creating so much fear that you cannot think clearly and the third step is to put time pressure on the victims. Victims of digital arrest come from all backgrounds and ages. Many people have lost a lot of their hard-earned money. If you ever get such a call, be careful that no investigation agency does such inquiry over phone or video call. “Stop, think and take action. If possible, no government agency makes threats or demands money,” PM Modi said in his Mann Ki Baat address. .

“There is no legal system called digital arrest; it is a complete fraud, deception, a criminal enterprise by people who are enemies of the society. Various investigative agencies, in collaboration with state governments, have been proactive in addressing this scam. The National Cyber ​​Coordination Center has been set up to promote coordination among these agencies,” the PM had said.

“In digital arrest cases, victims receive a phone call, email or message claiming they are under investigation for illegal activities such as identity theft or money laundering. Scammers threaten the victim with arrest or legal consequences. “They often create a sense of panic, preventing rational thinking,” said a cyber police officer. Under the guise of clearing their names or assisting in the investigation, individuals are forced to transfer large sums of money to specified bank accounts or UPI IDs.”

On October 17, a 57-year-old doctor lost around Rs 7 crore at the hands of cyber fraudsters in a 'digital arrest' scam. The scammers had told the complainant that a SIM card in her name was linked to a bank account found during the investigation of a money laundering case and induced her to transfer money to different bank accounts.