‘Digital Arrest’ is a type of online scam where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officers or government officials to extort money from victims. They contact people via video calls, claiming that the person is involved in a crime or legal trouble. To protect ourselves from falling victim to the “Digital Arrest” scam, we can follow some steps.
- Stay Calm: If you receive a call claiming you are involved in a legal case, don’t panic. Scammers rely on fear to pressure their victims.
- Verify the Caller: Always verify the identity of the caller. Do not trust a person simply because they claim to be an official. Contact the concerned authority directly using verified contact information.
- Do Not Share Personal Information: Never provide sensitive information like bank details, identification numbers, or addresses over the phone, especially to unknown callers.
- Ignore Financial Demands: Real authorities will never ask for money transfers over a call to resolve legal matters. Avoid making any payments or transactions as demanded by the caller.
- Look for Red Flags: Watch out for calls with foreign or unusual country codes, fake official photos, or excessive pressure to act quickly.
- Report Suspicious Calls: If you suspect a scam, immediately report the incident to the police or cybercrime cell. The faster the report, the better the chances of stopping the scam.
- Keep Family Informed: Share this information with family members, especially those who may be vulnerable to such fraud, like elderly relatives.