Cracking Down on Digital Arrest Scams: How India is Strengthening Cybercrime Defences

Digital arrest scams have emerged as a growing cyber threat, with fraudsters impersonating law enforcement agencies to extort money from unsuspecting victims. Since policing and public order are state subjects under the Indian Constitution, State and Union Territory (UT) law enforcement agencies (LEAs) play a crucial role in tackling such crimes. However, the Central Government has implemented several initiatives to support states in addressing these scams through financial aid, advisories, and coordinated efforts.

National Cyber Crime Response Mechanism

To strengthen the fight against cyber crimes, including digital arrest scams, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has established the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). This agency is responsible for streamlining efforts against all forms of cyber fraud across the country.

Additionally, the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) (https://cybercrime.gov.in) has been launched to enable victims to report cyber crimes, with a particular focus on crimes against women and children.

Public Awareness and Education Initiatives

The Central Government has taken proactive steps to educate the public about digital arrest scams through various awareness campaigns:

• Traditional and Digital Media: Advertisements in newspapers, radio broadcasts, and digital campaigns across social media platforms.
• Metro and Public Engagements: Announcements in Delhi Metro and participation in the Raahgiri function at Connaught Place, New Delhi.
• Prime Minister’s Address: The Hon’ble Prime Minister discussed digital arrest scams in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ episode on October 27, 2024.
• Caller Tune Awareness Drive: I4C and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) launched a caller tune campaign in multiple regional languages to promote the Cyber Crime Helpline Number 1930 and the NCRP portal.

Blocking Fraudulent Communications

To curb the misuse of communication platforms, the government has implemented strict measures to block fraudulent accounts and prevent scam operations:

• Skype IDs and WhatsApp Accounts: More than 3,962 Skype IDs and 83,668 WhatsApp accounts used for digital arrest scams have been identified and blocked.
• International Spoofed Call Prevention: Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have been directed to identify and block incoming international calls that falsely appear as originating from Indian mobile numbers.
• Mass SIM and IMEI Blocking: As of February 28, 2025, over 7.81 lakh SIM cards and 2,08,469 IMEIs have been blocked based on reports from police authorities.

Prevention of Financial Fraud

The Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System, introduced in 2021 under I4C, has played a crucial role in preventing financial losses due to cyber fraud. Key achievements include:

• Over ₹4,386 crore saved from cyber fraudsters in more than 13.36 lakh complaints.
• A toll-free Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) was launched to assist victims in reporting online financial fraud.

Strengthening Law Enforcement and Policy Measures

To ensure the effectiveness of cybercrime prevention, the government has also issued policy directives and alerts:

• A press release was issued to warn against digital arrest scams, highlighting cases where criminals impersonated officials from the NCB, CBI, RBI, and State Police.
• Cyber Safety and Security Awareness Weeks have been organised in collaboration with State/UT agencies.
• Educational Handbooks for students and adolescents have been published to spread awareness about online fraud.

Conclusion

The rise of digital arrest scams requires continuous vigilance and proactive measures. While the government has implemented multiple initiatives, public awareness remains the most crucial factor in preventing these scams. Citizens are encouraged to stay informed, report suspicious activities on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, and use the Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) in case of financial fraud.

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