In view of the rising number of incidents where cybercriminals pose as police or central investigative agency officials to intimidate people via video calls and defraud them under the pretext of ‘digital arrest,’ Police Commissioner Satinder Singh has appealed to the public to remain vigilant. An awareness message issued by the Jalandhar Police Commissionerate clarifies that no police officer or government agency can place an individual under ‘digital arrest’ via phone or video call. Cyber fraudsters use false threats to mentally intimidate people and subsequently attempt to extract money, OTPs, and banking-related information.
According to the police, fraudsters may claim over the phone that the individual’s Aadhaar card, mobile number, or bank account is linked to a crime. Posing as police or central agency officials, they then threaten the victim, instructing them to stay on the video call, avoid contacting anyone else, and remain under ‘digital arrest’ until the alleged investigation is concluded.
Police Commissioner Satinder Singh stated that in many instances, cyber fraudsters ask victims to transfer money in exchange for avoiding an investigation or closing the case. He clarified that such demands are a likely indication of cyber fraud. He urged the public not to panic or make any payments if an unknown person calls claiming to be an official from the police or a government department and threatens to implicate them in a criminal case.
Observe the following precautions:
Do not click on unknown links.
