PM Modi flags ‘digital arrests’, says no government body issues phone threats

NEW DELHI: In a recognition of the rampant threat of cybercrime, PM Narendra Modi on Sunday flagged the issue of fraudsters targeting people through ‘digital arrests’ as he clarified that no govt agency threatened individuals over the phone or demanded money.

In his 115th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’, the PM detailed the modus operandi of the scam and explained how to handle it in case someone was cheated.

Modi suggested that anyone who receives such a call needn’t be afraid. “Be aware that no investigating agency conducts such interrogations over the phone or video call. The three steps to digital security are: stop, think and act. If possible, take a screenshot or record the call. No govt agency issues threats over the phone or demands money,” he said, adding that investigating agencies were working in partnership with state govts to combat the scam being carried out in the name of ‘digital arrest’ but awareness was essential in protecting oneself from such fraudsters.

“As soon as you get a call, stop... don’t panic, stay calm, don’t take any hasty steps, don’t give away your personal information to anyone; if possible, take a screenshot and record it for sure. The first step is ‘stop’ and the second step is ‘think’. No govt agency threatens you on the phone like this, neither inquires nor demands money on a video call like this,” Modi said.

The third step was ‘take action’, the PM said and urged victims to dial the national cyber helpline 1930 and also report such incidents on cybercrime.gov.in. He urged people to inform family and police, and preserve evidence by recording the fraud call.

During his broadcast, he also shared a conversation between a victim and a fraudster to highlight the ‘digital arrest’ scam.

“The fraudsters of digital arrest phone calls, at times impersonate as police, CBI, narcotics, at times RBI... using such various labels, they converse as fake officers with a lot of confidence. Many listeners of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ have wished that we must discuss that,” Modi said.

He reiterated that there was no system like digital arrest in the law and this was just a fraud, deceit and a lie. The gang of criminals and those who doing this are enemies of society, Modi said.

Modi also said the effort for an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ was making strides in every sector, noting that the country was exporting its defence products to over 85 countries now.

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