Hyderabad: The Reserve Bank of India warned citizens about the rising digital arrest scam, stating that no such concept exists in law enforcement.
In a public advisory, the central bank said fraudsters are making fake calls claiming that victims are under “digital arrest.”
According to the RBI, criminals use this tactic to frighten people and extort money. Therefore, officials urged citizens not to panic if they receive such calls.
The RBI clarified that law enforcement agencies never place individuals under arrest through phone calls or online communication.
Digital arrest scam calls target personal and financial data
The central bank said scammers often demand money or sensitive information during a digital arrest scam call. In many cases, fraudsters pressure victims to share personal details or transfer money immediately.
However, the RBI warned people never to disclose personal or financial information during such calls. Citizens were also advised not to make payments to callers claiming to conduct a digital arrest. Furthermore, the RBI urged people to report such incidents immediately.
Victims can file complaints through the national cybercrime portal at cybercrime.gov.in. Additionally, people can seek assistance by calling the cybercrime helpline number 1930. The RBI also said more information about cyber fraud awareness is available on its public education platform. The advisory came after several cases of the scam were reported recently in the media.
Authorities noted that police departments, banks and government agencies have repeatedly warned the public about such frauds. Nevertheless, scammers continue to target people using fear-based tactics.
Therefore, the RBI urged citizens to remain alert and avoid falling victim to cybercrime schemes.
