Data released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has revealed that between January and April 2024, Indian citizens lost a staggering Rs 120.30 crore to a deceptive scheme known as “digital arrest fraud.” The Ministry, which supervises cybercrime prevention through the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), has highlighted a disturbing pattern of cross-border cyber operations targeting unsuspecting Indians.
According to I4C, cyber fraud originating from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia accounted for approximately 46 per cent of reported cybercrimes during this period, contributing to a total loss of Rs 1,776 crore. The National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) recorded 7.4 lakh complaints in just the first four months of 2024—a marked surge compared to 15.56 lakh in 2023 and 9.66 lakh in 2022, underscoring an alarming rise in digital crime.
The I4C’s detailed analysis categorises these cyber frauds into four primary types: “digital arrest” fraud, trading scams, investment scams (task-based), and romance/dating scams. In terms of financial losses, trading scams topped the list, costing Indians Rs 1,420.48 crore between January and April 2024. This was followed by investment scams with losses of Rs 222.58 crore, romance scams at Rs 13.23 crore, and Rs 120.30 crore from digital arrest frauds alone.
The “digital arrest” scheme is particularly insidious. Scammers impersonate law enforcement officials, claiming the victim is implicated in serious crimes involving illegal goods, drugs, or forged documents. Using persuasive tactics, they conduct video calls where they appear dressed as police officers or enforcement agents and pressure victims into paying bribes to avoid formal charges.
I4C’s study has also unveiled the growing influence of social media platforms, where individuals, often lured with the promise of lucrative job opportunities, are recruited to participate in these fraudulent operations. Many unwitting recruits find themselves ensnared in schemes that are coordinated from bases in Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, countries identified as major cybercrime hotspots targeting India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the issue in his Mann Ki Baat address on October 27, expressing concern over the increase in “digital arrest fraud” cases and urging citizens to remain vigilant against such scams. Modi emphasised the government’s commitment to tackling cyber threats and underscored the MHA’s call for stronger citizen awareness and cooperation with cybercrime authorities.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and the I4C are working closely to mitigate these rising cyber threats, with ongoing efforts to educate citizens, enhance surveillance, and strengthen national cyber defences. As digital crime escalates, these operations remain under close scrutiny, with the MHA’s proactive measures seeking to curb this wave of cyber fraud and secure India’s digital landscape.
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