PM Modi warns citizens against falling prey to ‘digital arrest’ scams

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to citizens against falling into the trap laid out by scammers threatening them of ‘Digital Arrest.’

Adding that no law enforcement agencies coduct investigations or carry interrogations through video calls, PM Modi appealed citizens to take three steps in such events to ensure their digital security: “Stop, think, and take action.” and avoid panicking.

He addressed citizens on Sunday through his monthly radio program, Mann Ki Baat.

While speaking about the growing incidents wherein fraudsters have posed as police, CBI, anti-narcotics, or RBI officers and threaten unsuspecting citizens with digital arrest over a video call, PM Modi clarified that no government agency conducts investigations via phone or video calls.

Sharing the step-by-step modus operendi, he said that fraudsters collect detailed personal information of gullible victims and pressure them to act or threaten arrest.

PM Modi added that citizens should pause before taking any action in such an event and urged them to immediately report authorities through the helpline number 1930 or https://cybercrime.gov.in to stop this menace of digital scams.

According to National cybercrime co-ordination centre (14C) in 2023, 79 million fishing attacks were reported in India, law and enforcement agencies took action in 760,000 such cases and ₹2,400 crores ($288 million) were recovered.

From October 2023 to May 2024, 310 domains that were used for such fishing attacks and 91 fake websites, 379 mobile apps used for defrauding people were deactivated.

In the 115th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat,’ he added that once an importer of mobile phones, India has now become the second-biggest manufacturer of mobile phones in the world. Once the biggest buyer of defence equipment, India today exports it to 85 countries. 

In space technology, India has become the first country to land near the Moon’s South Pole. Udnderlining the trajectory of success achieved by Indians in complex technologies Modi said that it is at par with global development.