Govt urged to hold large digital transactions for 24 hours to curb Rs 3,000-cr ‘digital arrest’ fraud
RAIPUR
Member of Parliament (MP) Brijmohan Agrawal raised the issue of ‘digital arrest’ cyber fraud in the Lok Sabha today, stating that the scam has robbed citizens of over Rs 3,000 crore nationally, including Rs 32 crore in Chhattisgarh alone.
The MP from Raipur Lok Sabha seat drew the government’s attention to the rising trend of ‘digital arrest’, where online fraudsters impersonate police officers or central agency officials on video calls, intimidating victims into transferring their lifetime savings within minutes.
Addressing the House, MP Agrawal pointed out that the digital arrest gang primarily targets senior citizens, people living alone, and those less familiar with technology. He said these fraudsters coerce victims into draining their savings, retirement funds, and fixed deposits in one go.
The Raipur MP called for a zero-tolerance policy against cyber criminals. He noted that over 40 serious cases of online fraud under the pretext of ‘digital arrest’ have surfaced in Chhattisgarh over the last three years, involving the fraudulent transfer of approximately Rs 32 crore.
The MP also offered a critical suggestion to enhance cyber security: 50% of any large amount transferred from a bank account should be put on hold for at least 24 hours. He stressed that this security measure could significantly curb online theft and provide victims with crucial time to save their money.
“As the scale of digital fraud grows rapidly, the government must also accelerate its technical security measures,” he said. He added that protecting senior citizens and the common public from this cyber trap is extremely necessary, as online robbers are wiping out people’s entire savings in minutes.
The BJP MP highlighted a recent spike in ‘digital arrest’ cases in Chhattisgarh, where students, businessmen, and senior citizens have been targeted. He emphasised, “In this era of Digital India, cyber security is the public’s primary right. Strict action against these fraudsters is essential.”
He also mentioned that the Supreme Court has recognised ‘digital arrest’ as a severe emerging challenge. Thousands of victims across India, including senior citizens, have lost over Rs 3,000 crore to this scam, the MP wrote on his social media platform X following the session.
According to the MP, the problem is compounded because, under threat and duress, victims transfer 80% to 90% of their life savings within minutes. The current banking system processes these transactions as normal, which he stated requires immediate reform.
Cyber Cell and police teams have arrested over 35 fraudsters involved in ‘digital arrest’ cases so far. These accused, who pretended to be central agency officials or police, were apprehended from various districts in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Chhattisgarh.
The cases of fraud have been confirmed across major cities in Chhattisgarh, including Raipur, Bilaspur, Bhilai, and Rajnandgaon.
How to protect yourself from ‘Digital Arrest’
- Immediately call the National Cyber Crime Helpline number 1930.
- Collect all evidence related to the cyber fraud.
- File a complaint within one to three hours of the fraud for better chances of fund recovery.
- If the helpline is unavailable, report the crime on the cyber crime website.
- Avoid clicking on unknown links or downloading apps from unfamiliar numbers.
- Do not panic if you receive a call from an unknown number; block the number or disconnect the call.
Where to File a Complaint:
Victims can approach their nearest police station or Cyber Cell. Additionally, they can report the crime via:
- The cybercrime.gov.in portal, using the available Vaani chatbot for assistance.
- The Cyber Financial Crime Helpline number 155260.
