Exercise Extreme Caution When Sharing Sensitive Financial Information : Cyber Police Kashmir
Suhail Khan
Srinagar, Nov 30 : The Cyber Police Kashmir Zone on Friday issued a warning to citizens, urging them to exercise extreme caution when sharing sensitive financial information with anyone.
A senior official at Cyber Police Kashmir Zone informed The Web Story/The Varmul Post that legitimate government agencies will never conduct investigations or arrests via video calls, demand payments, or request sensitive information over the phone.
He urged the public to always verify the identity of callers claiming to represent official authorities and to report any suspicious activities to the nearest Cyber Police station or to cybercrime helplines immediately.
The official emphasized that the Cyber Police Kashmir is committed to protecting citizens from the increasing threat of cybercrimes and encouraged the public to remain informed and vigilant.
When asked about the ‘Digital Arrest Scam’—what it is and how individuals can avoid falling victim to it—the officer explained that various kinds of scams have emerged in India on a weekly basis. Recently, the ‘Digital Arrest Scam’ has been making headlines.
So, what exactly is the Digital Arrest Scam, and how can a scammer falsely ‘arrest’ an innocent civilian? Let’s explore.
“You’re under arrest”…for what?
A fraudster calls the victim, claiming to be from enforcement agencies such as the RBI, CBI, TRAI, or the Income Tax Department.
The fraudster demands that the victim remain under constant video surveillance via platforms like Skype, alleging that their contact number or ID proof has been used in illegal activities such as drug trafficking.
Subsequently, the victim is coerced into paying a significant sum of money to avoid any action being taken against them for the ‘alleged’ crime.
These fraudsters often go to great lengths, wearing police-like uniforms and creating a setting that mimics an enforcement agency’s office. Consequently, victims may pay out of fear of prosecution.
Here’s How You Can Protect Yourself from These Scams
The officer in a message to people said, To avoid becoming a victim of a digital arrest scam, follow these quick and simple steps:
1. Cease all communication with the fraudster and disconnect your internet connection.
2. Call the 24×7 helpline number ‘1930’ and report the incident to the authorities immediately.
3. Contact your bank to freeze your accounts and change your passwords as soon as possible.
4. Keep vital evidence, such as screenshots, call recordings, and text messages, for reference.
