NewKerala.com

Rajasthan Warns Public on Digital Arrest Scams and Call Forwarding Frauds

The Rajasthan government has issued a cybersecurity advisory to warn citizens about sophisticated digital arrest scams. In these frauds, criminals impersonate officials from agencies like the CBI or ED to intimidate victims via phone or video calls. They use fake setups and accuse people of serious crimes to coerce payments. Authorities clarify that no legitimate law enforcement agency conducts arrests or demands money digitally.

Key Points: Rajasthan Cybersecurity Advisory on Digital Arrest Scams

  • Impersonation of law enforcement
  • Fake legal action threats
  • Coercion via continuous video calls
  • Fraudulent demands for money
2 min read

Rajasthan govt issues cybersecurity advisory; warns against digital arrest and call forwarding scams

Rajasthan govt issues advisory warning against digital arrest and call forwarding scams. Learn how fraudsters impersonate officials.

"Victims are falsely accused of serious offences... and make misuse of Aadhaar or bank accounts."

Jaipur, Feb 9

The Rajasthan government, on Monday, issued a comprehensive advisory to create public awareness about cybersecurity and cyber hygiene, urging citizens to remain vigilant against rising cases of digital arrest scams and call forwarding frauds, government officials said.

In a digital arrest scam, cybercriminals impersonate officials from law enforcement or investigative agencies such as the Police, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Narcotics Department, or other government bodies.

Victims are intimidated through phone or video calls and coerced into paying money by threatening fake legal action, officials added.

Fraudsters contact victims via Interactive Voice Response calls, phone calls, or video calls, falsely claiming to be officials from agencies such as the Police, CBI, ED, Federal Bureau of Investigation, or the Department of Telecommunications.

In some cases, the fraudsters use fake police station setups, uniforms, and official-looking backgrounds to appear credible, officials said.

"Victims are falsely accused of serious offences such as sending narcotics, fake passports, or illegal SIM cards through courier services (for example, FedEx/DHL) and make misuse of Aadhaar or bank accounts. They (online fraudsters) also indulge in money laundering or terrorist financing," they added.

"In certain cases, scammers threaten to implicate a family member in an accident or criminal case. Victims are often forced to stay continuously on video calls via WhatsApp, Skype, or similar platforms to prevent them from contacting others. Money is then demanded in the name of settlement, avoiding arrest, keeping the matter out of the media, or as fines or "verification charges"," officials said.

Police officials shared important facts, saying that no law enforcement agency carries out arrests digitally, no government official demands money over phone or video calls and no official investigation is conducted through WhatsApp, Skype, or Telegram.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good move by the Rajasthan govt. But honestly, these scams are getting too sophisticated. Fake police stations and uniforms? That's next level. People need to remember the golden rule: NO government agency will ever ask for money over a phone call. Period.
A
Aman W
Respectfully, while the advisory is welcome, the real solution lies in stronger action. Why can't we trace these calls? The cyber cells need more teeth and resources. Issuing warnings is one thing, catching these fraudsters is another.
S
Sarah B
I work in IT in Jaipur, and the psychological pressure they apply is brutal. Keeping someone on a video call for hours is a form of digital kidnapping. Please share this article with your family, especially those not so tech-savvy.
N
Nikhil C
The part about threatening family members is the worst. They prey on our biggest fears. My advice? If you get such a call, just hang up and directly call the nearest police station yourself to verify. Don't panic.
K
Kavya N
Absolutely terrifying. We need to have regular charcha (discussions) about this at home with parents and grandparents. They trust anyone who says "government officer". More power to Rajasthan Police for putting this out clearly. 👏

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50