Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 25: The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has identified and blocked 83,668 WhatsApp accounts and 3,962 Skype IDs linked to digital arrest scams, the government informed Parliament on Tuesday. In addition, the government has blocked over 7.81 lakh SIM cards and 2,08,469 IMEIs following police complaints, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, said in a written response in the Lok Sabha.
A digital arrest scam is a cybercrime where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials to falsely accuse individuals of crimes, extorting money or personal information by threatening arrest or imprisonment. Since 2021, the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System has helped prevent the loss of over Rs 4,386 crore in 13.36 lakh complaints related to financial fraud. However, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) does not maintain specific data on digital arrest scams separately, the minister clarified.
To address cybercrimes comprehensively, the Ministry of Home Affairs has established I4C as a dedicated unit to tackle all types of online frauds and cyber threats in a coordinated manner. Citizens can report cyber crimes, including digital arrest scams, through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in). Complaints lodged here are handled by respective State and Union Territory law enforcement agencies.
Additionally, the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System, launched under I4C in 2021, enables the immediate reporting of financial frauds. A toll-free cybercrime helpline (1930) is also operational for swift assistance. The Central Government has rolled out an extensive public awareness campaign against digital arrest scams. This includes newspaper advertisements, announcements in Delhi Metro, social media influencer campaigns, and awareness programs on Prasar Bharati and Aakashvani.
The crackdown on cybercrime continues as authorities work to enhance digital security and prevent fraudsters from exploiting unsuspecting individuals.