Why in News?
The Supreme Court expressed concern over rising cases of “digital arrests” by fraudsters posing as judges and police, and suggested assigning the CBI to investigate such cybercrimes after taking suo motu cognisance of a ₹1.05 crore extortion case in Haryana.
Description:
Digital Arrest is a cybercrime tactic where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials (like Police, CBI, or ED) to extort money from victims by falsely accusing them of crimes.
Modus Operandi:
- Scammers pose as government or police officials.
- Victims are told they are accused of serious crimes (like money laundering or drug trafficking).
- They are “digitally arrested” — forced to stay on video calls (Skype, Zoom, etc.) until payment is made.
- Victims are manipulated into self-confinement at home and coerced to pay to “settle” the case.
Preventive Measures:
- Cyber Hygiene: Regularly update passwords and software; use two-factor authentication.
- Avoid Phishing: Don’t click suspicious links or share personal data without verifying authenticity.
- Secure Devices: Use reputed antivirus/anti-malware software and keep systems updated.
- VPN Usage: Use trusted VPNs to encrypt connections; avoid free/unverified ones.
- Secure Communication: Use encryption for sensitive data and avoid sharing passwords publicly.
- Awareness: Public education on cyber frauds is essential to prevent exploitation.
Phishing (Definition):
An attempt to steal sensitive data (passwords, bank info, etc.) by impersonating legitimate entities through fake emails, messages, or websites.
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