Digital arrest scams have emerged as a significant threat to innocent citizens in Himachal Pradesh, with seven out of ten cybercrime cases in the region linked to this deceptive method. In this type of fraud, scamsters impersonating police officers or CID officials contact victims through video and audio calls. They use intimidation tactics to accuse the victim or one of their relatives of being involved in a crime, threatening them with arrest unless they pay a hefty sum to resolve the matter.
The scam typically begins when fraudsters present themselves as police officials and accuse the victim of a serious crime, either involving them directly or a close family member. These scammers use technology to create a sense of urgency, pressuring victims into paying money to avoid legal action.
Meanwhile, in Coimbatore, city cybercrime police have invoked provisions of the Goondas Act on three men from Madhya Pradesh, who were arrested for defrauding a senior citizen of Rs67 lakh. The accused, Ravikumar Sharma (23), Mukul Chandel (24), and Anil Jatav (24), all hailing from Guna, Madhya Pradesh, were caught after a thorough investigation into their fraudulent activities, which included using similar tactics to intimidate the victim.
The Goondas Act, typically used for detaining habitual offenders, was applied to these three individuals due to the severity of their crime and their persistent involvement in defrauding people. The scam led the victim to believe that his family members were under investigation, causing panic and resulting in a significant financial loss.
As digital scams continue to rise, authorities are urging citizens to be more cautious of unsolicited calls and messages. Victims are advised to verify the authenticity of such calls by directly contacting local authorities or relatives before engaging in any financial transactions.
