Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate Police, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack has issued a public advisory on “Digital Arrest” after several intellectuals and professionals across organizations and departments fell prey to the cyber fraud.
According to the advisory, fraudsters impersonating senior police officials have cheated victims and misappropriated their hard-earned money. The scammers pose as officials from FedEx, Customs, CBI, ED, TRAI or Police and allege that a parcel in the victim’s name contains narcotics, fake passports, illegal currency or weapons.
In other cases, fraudsters claim the victim’s mobile number is linked to illegal messages, financial fraud, money laundering or SIM misuse, and threaten immediate disconnection unless they cooperate.
Victims are also told their Aadhaar has been misused, multiple SIM cards issued in their name, and KYC details exploited for criminal transactions. Some are informed that their son or daughter has been arrested in such cases and are asked to cooperate in the investigation.
The advisory said fraudsters circulate forged FIRs, arrest warrants, court notices, summons, confidential investigation letters and account-freezing orders. Victims are coerced into remaining on continuous video calls, barred from contacting family members, and pressured to transfer their savings into so-called “Government Reserve Accounts” or deposit funds into “Verification Accounts” under strict instructions to maintain secrecy.
Commissionerate Police clarified that there is no legal provision for “Digital Arrest” in India. Police or law enforcement agencies never arrest people via video calls or messages, and no investigating agency will ask citizens to join Skype or similar platforms for investigation or arrest.
Citizens have been advised to disconnect suspicious calls immediately and not to transfer money, liquidate FDs or PPFs, or follow banking instructions from unknown callers. People should never share OTPs, PINs, passwords or banking credentials and must consult family members when in doubt.
Incidents can be reported immediately by calling 1930, the National Cyber Crime Helpline, filing a complaint at www.cybercrime.gov.in, or visiting the nearest Cyber Crime and Economic Offences Police Station.
