Common Scams 
I magine this: You’re sitting at home, sipping your morning chai, when your phone rings. The caller introduces himself as an officer from the Cyber Crime Branch. He sounds official—there’s been a complaint against you, he says. Something about
an international parcel linked to illegal activities. You’re confused. But then the threats start.
The voice on the other end tells you there are 24 cases registered against you across different states. A moment later, your screen lights up with a video call from an “IPS officer.” He’s in uniform, sitting in what looks like a police station. He says the CBI is involved. He mentions money laundering. You begin to panic. Your family gets pulled into the ordeal, and for the next five days, you’re a prisoner in your own home, trapped in a nightmare of endless threats and demands. Every call, another push towards transferring your life savings to keep yourself out of jail.
This isn’t the plot of a crime thriller—it’s exactly what happened to Chandrabhan Paliwal and his family in Noida. And they ae far from alone.
In just one year, financial fraud in India exploded.
According to the finance ministry, cybercriminals swindled a jaw-dropping ₹177 crore from unsuspecting Indians in the fiscal year ending March 2024—more than double what was lost in 2023.
Think scams are just a few unlucky cases? Think again.
The number of high-value cases, where victims lost over ₹1 lakh, skyrocketed from 6,699 to a staggering 29,082.
With data packs starting at just ₹11 an hour, in India, getting online has never been easier—or cheaper. Almost everyone is connected, and making payments with a tap. But while our screens are getting smarter, our cyber awareness isn’t keeping up. Scammers are having a field day, posing as government officials, police officers, or even using AI to cook up the perfect con. a high-pressure con where fraudsters:
- Pretend to be law enforcement officers (CBI, customs, police, etc.)Whether it’s a fake call, a cleverly worded text, or a deepfake video, they know exactly how to reel people in.
- And before you know it, your hard-earned money is gone.
- So, what is Digital Arrest?
- Simply put, it’s
- Accuse you of a fake crime and claim you’re in serious trouble
- Force you onto a video call to make it seem more real
- Create fake police station backgrounds to scare you into believing them
- Demand large sums of money to “clear your name”
- Threaten you into silence by telling you not to contact anyone
Once the money is transferred, the scammers vanish—leaving you traumatized and in deep financial loss.
5 Critical Steps to Protect Yourself from ‘Digital Arrest’ Scams
- Stay Sceptical & Don’t Panic:No real officer will demand money over a call or WhatsApp. Scammers use fear to cloud your judgment—stay calm and think before you act.
- Verify Before You Act: If you receive a threatening call, don’t engage. Contact the real agency directly to confirm whether it’s legitimate.
- Never Share Personal Information: No bank details, no Aadhaar numbers, no OTPs!
- Know How Real Agencies Operate: Government agencies don’t use WhatsApp or Skype! Official matters are handled through proper legal channels, not video calls.
- Take Action If You’re Targeted: Call your bank immediately to freeze suspicious transactions, report the scam on cybercrime.gov.in, save all evidence, and seek legal help if necessary.
So, if you spot the scam and don’t fall for it, report it! Your report could help prevent someone else from getting trapped.
Scammers play on your fear. The best way to fight back? Awareness and action.
So stay sharp and spread the word!
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