Scam of “digital arrest”: MHA bans over a thousand Skype IDs

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has partnered with Microsoft to ban over 1,000 Skype IDs linked to these operations in response to an increasing trend of fraudsters posing as law enforcement officials and frightening gullible victims using a tactic known as “digital arrests.”

During a “digital arrest,” victims are “interrogated” until their demands are fulfilled while being forced to stay visibly present via video conferencing services like Skype. Criminals sometimes operate from studios that resemble police stations or government offices, dressing in costumes to provide legitimacy to their operations and further confuse their prey.

These criminals use cunning strategies to trick their victims while operating under the cover of police authorities, the CBI, the Narcotics Control Bureau, the RBI, the ED, and other law enforcement organizations.

The usual method of operation is for the fraudster to telephone the victim and say that they are the intended receiver or that the victim delivered a package that included drugs, phony passports, or other contraband. As an alternative, they can make up a story claiming that the victim’s friend or family member was hurt in an accident or crime and is now in their care. The con artists force the victim to comply by demanding a large number of money in order to address the made-up scenario.

Cybercrime DCP Kavitha from Hyderabad stated, “It’s alarming to see fraudsters exploiting Skype in this manner, impersonating police officers and using the same warrants issued to them to intimidate victims.”

Numbers obtained without authorization

According to earlier investigations, fraudsters often obtained victim phone numbers from internet databases or from questionable sources, such buying them from temporary bank workers. Nonetheless, the current switch to Skype represents a divergence from conventional techniques, allowing con artists to more broadly target victims while remaining anonymous.

The financial consequences of these cyber scams have been catastrophic for the victims, as they have frequently resulted in losses exceeding one lakh. Cybercrime police in Hyderabad are aggressively looking into complaints they have received about money loss.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), a division of the MHA, has stepped its efforts to fight cybercrime in response to this rising danger. The I4C is working with a number of ministries, agencies, and organizations, including the RBI, and using technology to help them find and look into these fraudulent operations.

I4C, working with Microsoft, blocked more than 1,000 Skype IDs linked to these illegal activities as one of its actions. In addition, attempts are being made to restrict the mule accounts, mobile devices, and SIM cards that these fraudsters use.

Dial ‘1930’ to report fraud.

In order to empower consumers and increase awareness of these frauds, I4C has sent notifications via a variety of channels, including social media sites like “Cyberdost.” The public is advised to exercise caution and report any strange calls or occurrences to the cybercrime hotline at 1930. You may also seek assistance by visiting www.cybercrime.gov.in.