In response to the rising threat of digital arrest scams, the Government has implemented a series of initiatives aimed at curbing these fraudulent activities and protecting citizens from cybercriminals.

Key Initiatives:

• Blocking Fraudulent Accounts:

  • The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has blocked over 1,000 Skype accounts associated with intimidation, blackmail, extortion, and "digital arrests" perpetrated by cybercriminals impersonating government officials.
  • I4C is also facilitating the blocking of SIM cards, mobile devices, and mule accounts utilized by these fraudsters.

• Addressing Cross-Border Crime Syndicates:

  • The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has identified that these scams are often operated by cross-border crime syndicates, integrating them into a larger, organized online economic crime network.

• Alerts and Awareness Campaigns:

  • Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has issued various alerts via infographics, advisories, and videos shared on its social media platforms.
  • Citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious calls to the cybercrime helpline or the "National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal" for immediate assistance.

These proactive measures aim to enhance public awareness and security while disrupting the operations of cybercriminals involved in digital arrest scams.