In his latest Mann Ki Baat broadcast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep concern over the rising cases of cyber fraud in India, particularly scams referred to as “Digital Arrests.” During the address, he urged citizens to be vigilant and warned that there is no legal provision for such arrests under Indian law.
PM Modi shared a recorded conversation between a victim and a scammer to illustrate the issue. Fraudsters posing as officers from the Police, CBI, or Narcotics Department use these calls to gather personal information, instilling fear and duping victims into parting with significant sums of money. The Prime Minister noted that these criminals target individuals across all age groups and economic backgrounds, creating an atmosphere of intimidation.
The Prime Minister underscored that genuine investigative agencies do not conduct inquiries over phone or video calls. He urged people not to panic if they receive such calls, stressing that these are fraudulent tactics.
To counter these scams, PM Modi recommended a three-step approach to enhance digital security: “Stop – Think – Take Action.” He advised people to remain calm and avoid sharing personal details. He also suggested that if possible, recipients of suspicious calls should take screenshots or record the conversations as evidence.
The Prime Minister highlighted resources for reporting cyber fraud, encouraging citizens to use the national cyber helpline at 1930 or report incidents on the government’s cybercrime portal, cybercrime.gov.in. He emphasized the importance of preserving evidence, notifying family and friends, and informing local police.
To bolster coordination among government agencies, the National Cyber Coordination Centre has been established. Thousands of fraudulent video calling IDs, SIM cards, mobile phones, and bank accounts have already been blocked as a result of increased scrutiny and action from investigative bodies.
PM Modi encouraged victims of cyber fraud to spread awareness using the hashtag #SafeDigitalIndia. He also appealed to educational institutions to involve students in campaigns against cyber scams, fostering a more vigilant and informed community.