New Delhi5 minutes ago
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National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has issued an advisory for online payment users regarding the increasing incidents and threat of online fraud and digital arrest in the country. Recently, PM Modi told in an episode of Mann Ki Baat that Indians have lost Rs 120.3 crore due to the digital arrest scam.
NPCI said that the reach of digital payment is now in every corner of the country, it is taking the country towards digital first. This system has provided both security and convenience to the users. However, it is important to use digital systems safely and avoid scams. You can save yourself and your loved ones by timely detecting any possible fraud or scam.
In such a situation, let us know what is digital arrest and what are the ways to detect and avoid it…
What is digital arrest? Digital arrest is a new kind of cyber and online scam, fear is the most important part of it. By pretending to be investigating officers of police or other government departments, scammers first make people believe that they have committed some financial crime or something bad has happened or is about to happen to one of their family members. In most of the cases, the person sitting in front is in police uniform. In such a situation, people believe that he is telling the truth. After this they keep falling into their trap.
NPCI told, this is how digital arrest happens
- Phone calls from government officials: Be careful if someone claims to be from government agencies like police, CBI, income tax officer or custom agent. Especially if they claim that immediate legal action is being initiated or necessary, be wary. They may allege that you or a family member is involved in a serious crime such as money laundering, tax evasion or drug trafficking.
- Intimidating language and haste: Such fraudsters ask you for video call. In this they are in police uniform and the government logo is also printed on the uniform. For this they also create a setup like a real police station. During negotiations they often threaten arrest or immediate legal action. They want quick response from you on their every demand.
- Demand for sensitive information and money: Digital arrest perpetrators may ask for your personal information or demand a large amount of money to clear your name from the allegations against you. They may also force you to transfer money to their account until the investigation is completed. They may force you to deposit money into a bank account or UPI ID in the name of confirming your name, assisting in an investigation, or in the name of a refundable security deposit.
What to do to avoid digital arrest?
- Do not pick up any suspicious calls coming on WhatsApp, Facebook or Instagram.
- If you have picked up the phone, don’t panic. Just don’t share your personal and financial information.
- In case of initial doubt, disconnect the phone immediately. Avoid long conversations on the phone.
- Be sure to immediately verify the call coming from an unknown number with an app like TrueCaller.
Government closed 1.7 crore SIM cards
Recently the Government of India has banned about 1.7 crore SIM cards. All these SIM cards were issued through fake Aadhar cards and other documents. Apart from this, you can complain about it on cyber crime helpline number 1930.
