On October 27, 2024, during the 115th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat,’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi alerted citizens about a rising cyber fraud known as the “digital arrest” scam. Modi emphasized that no government agency—such as the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) or RBI (Reserve Bank of India)—would contact individuals via phone or video calls for investigations. This warning aims to curb fear tactics used by scammers to extort money and sensitize the public on digital safety practices.
Understanding the Scam
The “digital arrest” scam is a social engineering fraud in which criminals impersonate officials from reputed government bodies to frighten individuals into compliance. Scammers often claim to be conducting sensitive investigations and create panic by threatening immediate action unless demands—usually in the form of money or confidential data—are met. Modi highlighted that these scams target people across demographics, sometimes leading to massive financial losses, as in the recent case of a businessman being defrauded of ₹7 crore.
देशवासियों को Digital Arrest के नाम पर हो रहे Scam से बहुत सावधान रहने की जरूरत है। मैं आपको Digital सुरक्षा के ये तीन चरण बता रहा हूं, जिन्हें आप जरूर याद रखें…. #MannKiBaat pic.twitter.com/mnjzD7bOLo
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 27, 2024