Call elders if cash transfers seem unusual, Goa police tells banks

Panaji: Following an increase in sophisticated cyber scams targeting senior citizens, particularly the digital arrest fraud, Goa police have directed banks to scrutinise unusual or urgent transactions carried out by elderly customers.

Goa police instructed banks to contact senior citizens before the completion of such transactions to prevent them from being scammed.

Cybercrime SP Rahul Gupta, in a letter to all banks operating in the state, said that senior citizens are increasingly becoming targets of intricate cyber scams. In the digital arrest con, fraudsters impersonate law enforcement or govt officials to coerce victims into sending money or revealing sensitive information.

Fraudsters typically pose as the officers of police, CBI, RBI, or Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and accuse the victim of being involved in illegal activities, such as money laundering. They threaten arrest or legal action and force the victims to transfer huge sums from their bank accounts into mule accounts, Gupta said.

Goa police directed banks to strengthen frontline staff’s awareness to recognise signs of digital arrest scams, especially when elderly customers appear confused, nervous, or secretive while making large or urgent transfers.

This includes those who have switched on their phone’s speaker or are on a video call during transactions.

“Implement customer interaction protocols so that the bank staff politely question unusual transactions by elderly customers and probe for signs of coercion,” Gupta directed banks. “Conduct senior citizen focused awareness campaigns. Use SMS, email, ATM screens, and digital platforms to share alerts specifically for senior citizens about common scams.”

Goa police instructed banks to provide a dedicated helpline or relationship support number for senior citizens to consult bank staff before making large transactions.

“Collaborate with law enforcement so that it can promptly report suspected fraud to local cyber police stations or use the 1930 helpline,” Gupta said. Banks must display visible in-branch signage, he said.

“Place posters and counter cards with warnings about digital arrest scams and other cyber frauds, using clear and simple language, ideally in local languages,” he said.

Goa police had earlier sought from banks the details of high-net-worth senior citizens. This initiative aims to start a direct awareness outreach with the seniors.

Taking pre-emptive measures to protect the elderly population from cybercrime, Goa police are engaging directly with seniors and providing necessary information and guidance.

In a letter to banks, Gupta had said that in recent months, there was a worrying rise in digital arrest frauds, particularly targeting senior citizens with high net worth.

“To proactively address this menace and initiate timely preventive awareness efforts, it is requested that your branch kindly share a list of customers who are senior citizens, maintaining bank balances exceeding Rs 10 lakh, along with their name, residential address, age, and contact number,” Gupta had said in his letter to banks.