The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a warning on Tuesday about cyber criminals posing as officers from various government agencies, such as the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and other law enforcement entities. These criminals engage in blackmail, extortion, and “digital arrest” tactics, exploiting unsuspecting victims.
According to the MHA, numerous complaints have been filed on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) regarding these fraudulent activities. The criminals typically contact potential victims, claiming they are implicated in illegal activities such as the shipment of contraband, drugs, or fake passports. In some instances, they allege that a relative of the victim is involved in a crime or has been in an accident and is in custody.
To resolve the fabricated charges, the fraudsters demand money from the victims. In certain cases, they enforce “digital arrest,” requiring the victims to remain visually available over platforms like Skype or other video conferencing services until their demands are met. The MHA warns that these criminals use realistic setups, resembling police stations or government offices, and wear uniforms to appear credible.
The MHA highlighted that many victims across the country have lost substantial amounts of money to these schemes. This organized online economic crime is believed to be operated by cross-border syndicates. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the MHA, is coordinating efforts to combat this issue, providing technical support to state and Union Territory police authorities for identifying and investigating such cases.
In collaboration with Microsoft, the I4C has blocked over 1,000 Skype IDs associated with these criminal activities. It is also working on blocking SIM cards, mobile devices, and mule accounts used by the fraudsters. The I4C has been issuing alerts through infographics and videos on its social media platform ‘Cyberdost,’ which includes X, Facebook, Instagram, and others.
The MHA advises citizens to stay vigilant and spread awareness about these types of frauds. If anyone receives such a call, they should report the incident immediately via the cybercrime helpline number 1930 or the website www.cybercrime.gov.in for assistance.