Sudeep Gouda

Under the digital arrest scam, fraudsters pose as law enforcement officials, such as CBI agents, income tax officers, customs agents or Narcotics officials and initiate contact with victims via phone. Subsequently, they force the victims to switch to video communication through platforms like WhatsApp and Skype from multiple locations e.g., from an ‘airport’, ‘police station’, or even from a court. They gather pictures of police officers, lawyers and judges from various sources like social media accounts and use their ‘DP’, which is displayed when their call is answered. The scammers then threaten the victims with an arrest warrant, citing various reasons such as financial misconduct, tax evasion, involvement in drug trafficking or other legal violations.

Scammers create a sense of urgency, pressuring victims to make immediate decisions without consulting others or verifying the information. Under the guise of “clearing their name,” “assisting with the investigation,” or “refundable education