City
Epaper

Cyber Attacks in India: Alert Issued by MHA On 'Digital Arrest', 'Blackmailing' By Cyber Criminals

By Lokmat English Desk | Updated: May 15, 2024 11:03 IST

A large number of complaints are being reported on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) regarding intimidation, blackmail, ...

Open in App

A large number of complaints are being reported on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) regarding intimidation, blackmail, extortion, and “Digital Arrests” by cyber criminals posing as Police Authorities, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Narcotics Department, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Enforcement Directorate, and other Law Enforcement Agencies.

These fraudsters typically call a potential victim and inform that the victim has sent or is the intended recipient of a parcel, which contains illegal goods, drugs, fake passports or any other contraband item. Sometimes, they also inform that a near or dear one of the victim has been found to be involved in a crime or an accident and is in their custody. 

Also Read | Cyber Attack in India: PMO, EPFO, Reliance, Air India, and Apollo Hospital Targeted by Chinese Hackers.

A demand for money is made to compromise the “case”. In certain instances, unsuspecting victims are made to undergo “Digital Arrest” and remain visually available over Skype or other video conferencing platforms to the fraudsters till their demands are met. The fraudsters are known to use studios modelled on Police Stations and Government offices and wear uniforms to appear genuine.

Across the country, several victims have lost large amounts of money to such criminals. This is an organized online economic crime and is learnt to be operated by cross-border crime syndicates.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, coordinates activities related to combating cybercrime in the country. MHA is closely working with other Ministries and their agencies, RBI and other organizations to counter these frauds. I4C is also providing inputs and technical support to Police Authorities of States/UTs for identifying and investigating the cases.

I4C has also blocked more than 1,000 Skype IDs involved in such activities, in collaboration with Microsoft. It is also facilitating blocking of SIM cards, Mobile devices and Mule accounts used by such fraudsters. I4C has also issued various alerts through infographics and videos on its social media platform ‘Cyberdost’ for e.g. X, Facebook, Instagram and others.

Citizens are advised to be alert and spread awareness about these types of frauds. On receipt of such calls, the citizens should immediately report the incident on cybercrime helpline number 1930 or www.cybercrime.gov.in for assistance.

Tags: cyber crimeCyber AttackMHABlackmailDigital Arrest
Open in App

Related Stories

MumbaiMumbai: Ghatkopar Woman Duped of Rs 4 Lakh by Cyber Fraudsters Posing as DCP Daya Nayak

MumbaiMumbai: BEST Conductor Duped of Rs 1.75 Lakh in Fake D-Mart Promotional Offer

MumbaiMumbai: Cyber Police Arrest Thane Man Linked to Rs 27.44 Lakh Share Trading Scam; 106 Complaints Against His Bank Account

MaharashtraChhatrapati Sambhajinagar: 19-Year-Old Girl Dies by Suicide Over Harassment by Boyfriend On Snapchat

MumbaiMumbai: Woman Lawyer Duped in Online E-Bike Purchase Scam, Cyber Fraud Case Registered

National Realted Stories

NationalBengal: Four sentenced to life imprisonment for burning woman and her daughter alive

NationalUnion Agriculture Minister warns of black marketing during farmers' meet in Patna

BusinessED Makes First Arrest in Rs 3,000-Crore Anil Ambani Loan Fraud Case

NationalPrajwal Revanna case: Attempts made to delay verdict but victim stood like a rock, says SIT chief

NationalRahul Gandhi calls for reflection on electoral integrity, Constitutional values