Digital Arrest: Cyber Fraud Con Over ₹2,500 crores in Just 3-Yr
Hyderabad Police hold meeting on cyber fraud while a user records an attempt of digital arrest (Image credit X.com)
Digital Arrest Scams Explode in 2024: Fraud Jumps Nearly 6-Fold to ₹1,935 Crore!
By Kumar Vikram
New Delhi, March 13: India is witnessing an unprecedented surge in digital arrest scams, with thousands of citizens losing their hard-earned money to cybercriminals. Shockingly, in just three years, the number of reported cases has more than tripled.
The number of reported cases jumped from 39,925 in 2022 to a staggering 1,23,672 in 2024, and the total fraudulent amount has skyrocketed from ₹91.14 crore to an alarming ₹1,935.51 crore.
Victims find trapped in a web of deception as cyber criminals impersonate law enforcement agencies. These cyber scams, known as digital arrests, involve fraudsters posing officials of different law enforcement agencies and coercing innocent victims into transferring large sums of money under the pretext of fabricated legal charges.
Victims are often manipulated into believing that their bank accounts are linked to criminal activities, leading them to transfer money in a desperate bid to clear their name.
Govt ‘Detachment’ Turns People into Esay Preys for Cyber Frauds
Explosive Growth in Cyber Frauds: A Frightening Trend
| Year | No. of Cases | Defrauded Amount (₹ Crore) |
| 2022 | 39,925 | 91.14 |
| 2023 | 60,676 | 339.03 |
| 2024 | 1,23,672 | 1,935.51 |
| 2025 (Till Feb) | 17,718 | 210.21 |
Thousands of SIM Cards and IMEIs Blocked
To combat this alarming cyber threat, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has blocked over 3,962 Skype IDs and 83,668 WhatsApp accounts used by cybercriminals to execute these frauds. Additionally, more than 7.81 lakh SIM cards and 2,08,469 IMEI numbers have been blacklisted to curb fraudulent activities.
Government Initiatives: Can They Stop the Cyber Tsunami?
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the government has launched multiple initiatives, including:
The ‘National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal’ (https://cybercrime.gov.in) – A dedicated platform for reporting cyber frauds.
Helpline 1930 – A toll-free number to provide immediate assistance.
Caller Tune Awareness Campaign – Informing users about cyber fraud risks in regional languages.
Blocking of International Spoofed Calls – Efforts to prevent scammers from disguising international calls as local Indian numbers.
Public Awareness Drives – Campaigns through newspapers, social media, Delhi Metro announcements, and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address.
Are You the Next Target? Stay Vigilant!
Despite government efforts, digital arrest scams continue to rise at an alarming rate. The only way to fight back is by spreading awareness and refusing to fall prey to fraudulent threats. If you receive a suspicious call demanding money, report it immediately at 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.
Your vigilance can prevent another ₹2,500 crore loss—Don’t Let Cyber Criminals Win!
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