The Union Home Ministry has issued an alert against intimidation, blackmail, extortion and “digital arrests” by cyber criminals posing as police or other law enforcement agencies.
The ministry says this is an organized online economic crime operated by cross-border crime syndicates. Across the country, several victims have lost large amounts of money to such criminals, it says.
“A large number of complaints are being reported on National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) regarding intimidation, blackmail, extortion and ‘digital Arrests’ by cyber criminals posing as police authorities, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Narcotics Department, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Enforcement Directorate and other law enforcement agencies,” the MHA points out in its statement.
Elaborating on the modus operandi of these fraudsters, the ministry claims that they typically call a potential victim and inform that he or she has sent or is the intended recipient of a parcel, which contains illegal goods, drugs, fake passports or any other contraband item.
Sometimes, they also inform that a near or dear one of the victim has been found to be involved in a crime or an accident and is in their custody, it says, adding that the fraudsters will then demand money to compromise the ‘case’.
“In certain instances, unsuspecting victims are made to undergo ‘digital Arrest’ and remain visually available over Skype or other video conferencing platform to the fraudsters, till their demands are met,” warns the MHA.
It further clarifies that the fraudsters use studios modeled on police stations and government offices and wear uniforms to appear genuine.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the home ministry, coordinates activities related to combating cybercrime in the country.
MHA says it is closely working with other ministries and their agencies, RBI and other organizations to counter these frauds. “I4C is also providing inputs and technical support to police authorities for identifying and investigating the cases,” it says.
