‘Do not panic’: India’s Prime Minister warns against ‘digital arrest’ scams

A worrying new scam has been reported in one country, with victims placed under ‘digital arrest’ if they don’t agree to scammers’ terms.

India’s Prime Minister has warned against worrying new “digital arrest” scams, which uses fear to exploit citizens and swindle them out of hundreds of thousands of rupees.

Narendra Modi raised awareness about the emerging scams in an address on Sunday, warning citizens the fearmongering tactic is designed to place “psychological pressure” on citizens so they “will not be able to even think”.

“People from every class and age group fall victim to digital arrest. People have lost lakhs of rupees earned through their hard work, out of sheer fear,” he said, according to local media.

As part of the scam, fraudsters pose as police or tax officials and video call victims from a studio set up to resemble a police station, federal investigation agency or tax office.

The scammers, who are dressed in fake uniforms and posses fake IDs, typically claim the victim’s phone has been linked to an illegal activity or they have been sent a parcel containing drugs.

Victims are then placed under “digital arrest” until the demands of the scammers are met.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned citizens against the scams. Picture: Alex Halada/AFP

Speaking in his 115th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Mr Modi reminded the public there is no legal concept of a “digital arrest” and no enforcement agency would ask for personal details over a call.

“The fraudsters impersonate police, Central Bureau of Investigation, narcotics and at times central bank officials,” he said.

“They will scare you so much on the phone. In the midst of the conversation, you will not be able to even think.”

Mr Modi said scammers will create a sense of urgency, telling victims: “You have to decide now or else you will be arrested”.

“These people create so much of psychological pressure on the victim that one gets scared.”

Mr Modie reminded the public no enforcement agency would ask for personal details by phone or video call. Picture: Maxim Shemetov/Pool/AFP

It comes after a victim was allegedly scammed out of more than 20 million rupees ($A360,000) earlier this year, leading to the arrest of five people in August, Indian media reported.

The victim had received a call in May from a scammer purporting to be from a courier company, who claimed they had received a parcel of MDMA addressed to the vicitm.

The scammers then allegedly threatened the victim with legal action if he did not pay to settle the legal issues.

As more cases of “digital arrest” continue to be reported, the Prime Minister said a whole of government approach is being deployed and thousands of video-calling IDs have been blocked by agencies.

In the meantime, he urged citizens to “stay calm” if they receive such a call.

“Do not panic. Record or take a screen recording if possible,” he said.

“Second, remember that no government agency will threaten you online.

“Third, take action by calling the national cyber helpline and also inform police about the crime.”

Originally published as ‘Do not panic’: India’s Prime Minister warns against ‘digital arrest’ scams