In his recent Mann Ki Baat broadcast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised a warning about the alarming rise of cyber scams in India, particularly those known as “Digital Arrests.” PM Modi highlighted that these scams are purely fraudulent, with no legal basis for such arrests under Indian law, and urged citizens to stay cautious against falling prey to these deceptive tactics.

To illustrate the nature of these scams, PM Modi shared a recorded conversation between a victim and a scammer. In many cases, fraudsters impersonate officials from the police, CBI, or Narcotics Department to intimidate victims and gather personal details, eventually pressuring them into transferring large sums of money. These scams target people from all age groups and backgrounds, creating a widespread sense of fear and urgency.

The Prime Minister emphasized that legitimate investigative agencies do not conduct investigations through phone or video calls, urging people to remain calm and recognize such calls as scams. He advised a three-step strategy to counter these scams: “Stop – Think – Take Action.” Modi recommended not sharing personal details, taking screenshots, or recording suspicious calls as potential evidence when possible.

PM Modi also pointed citizens toward resources for reporting cyber fraud, such as the national cyber helpline at 1930 and the government’s cybercrime portal at cybercrime.gov.in. He underscored the importance of documenting evidence, informing family members, and reaching out to local police to help combat these crimes.

To improve coordination and action against cyber fraud, the government has set up the National Cyber Coordination Centre, resulting in the blocking of thousands of fake video calling IDs, SIM cards, mobile phones, and bank accounts used by scammers.

PM Modi further encouraged victims to raise awareness by using the hashtag #SafeDigitalIndia and called upon educational institutions to engage students in anti-cybercrime campaigns, aiming to build a more alert and informed community.

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