Video calls from unknown numbers. While receiving, a person in police uniform appears in front. Pictures of great men on the back wall. Seeing this, the person who receives the call panics – have I done something wrong or have the police called? This is what digital arrest robbers take advantage of. These robbers intimidate people by pretending to be police officers and force them to lock themselves in their homes for many hours. They loot millions of rupees by calling them traitors, terrorists and rapists.
Bhaskar's Special Series'Operation Digital Arrest'In part-1 of the reporter exposed himself by digitally arresting himself for 6 hours. Let's know from the experts in Part-2 today- How to identify these online robbers…
Even when the Bhaskar reporter got himself digitally arrested, one of the robbers was wearing a police uniform. Called himself IPS.
What is digital arrest?
- This is a new method of cyber fraud. The accused make video calls through WhatsApp or any other means. They are in police uniform or call themselves CBI officers. You will see the complete setup of the police station in the background.
- Scammers assure you that they will settle the charges against you online. At this the victim feels that he will be freed from this clutch.
- They scare you with false evidence that money has been given to terrorists from your account. A parcel in your name found at the airport contains drugs. Intimidation in the name of money laundering.
- They keep an eye on the victim through video calls and don't even let him move. As you get scared, the thug's voice will get louder.
- Threats will be made to implicate you in a case. A letter will be sent to you on WhatsApp in the name of investigation.
- You will be told that all the money in your account is being transferred to a secret account of a government agency.
- This money will be returned after its investigation. Even two-three hours after transferring the money, you will be forced to sit in front of the camera.
- This will give them time to withdraw the money transferred from your account by transferring it to different accounts.
What is the process if the police investigate the case? According to police officials, there is a process of police investigation and interrogation. When any case comes before the police, the first FIR is registered. One copy is given to the complainant and one copy to the accused. It states that there is a case against you. Even for interrogation, a notice is sent to the accused first and he is given a date to give a statement at the police station. No statement is made online.
If arrest is to be made, the police does not directly arrest him first. After taking his statement at the police station, the police keep him in custody and then arrest him. This information is given to the family after the arrest. It is stated on which charge he has been arrested. He is produced in court within 24 hours.
What precautions should be taken to avoid the trap of digital arrest?
- You should not unknowingly open any link that comes on your mobile.
- Do not upload your personal information to your social media accounts.
- You should not upload any information related to you on unknown links.
- Avoid clicking on links asking for bank credit scores. People enter complete information about PAN and Aadhaar card here. This makes all your important and confidential data accessible to fraudsters.
- You should not share your account information or OTP on the request of any person or authority.
- If you get SIM switch off or parcel like calls, understand that it is a scam. No telecom company or agency makes phone inquiries.
- If someone is talking to you as a police officer, you don't need to be afraid. Investigation by police or any security agency is not conducted online or through video.
- If there is anything related to money then the police will freeze your accounts, or transfer the money from your account to another account.
- If you have been digitally arrested and cheated, you should immediately report it to the nearest police station.
How does this network work? These crooks operate their network from different states. Collects mobile numbers and personal data of high profile people through various means. There is another team that works to spend fraud money. It searches for unemployed youths in different cities, whose accounts can be rented.
related to Digital Arrest…
Robbers who make first digital arrest on camera: Bhaskar Reporter jailed for 6 hours, tortured to get evidence; How High Profile People Get Trapped, Part-1
Digital arrest of online robbers across the country. Sometimes fake IPS and sometimes CBI officers are looting lakhs and crores of rupees by calling high profile people as traitors, terrorists, rapists, smugglers. Forced to stay indoors for hours. ( here)
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
