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Government Launches Major Crackdown on 'Digital Arrest' Scams (Image Source: Internet)
New Delhi: In India, cyber frauds—such as "Digital Arrest" scams—are on the rise. In these schemes, fraudsters impersonate police officers, CBI officials, or representatives of other government agencies to intimidate victims and extort money. To curb this growing menace, the central government has submitted a comprehensive action plan to the Supreme Court of India.
The government has acknowledged that fake SIM cards play the most significant role in facilitating these frauds. Consequently, the Department of Telecommunications is now preparing to further tighten the SIM card issuance process.
Under the proposed new framework, biometric verification may be made mandatory to ensure that every SIM card is linked to a genuine identity. Additionally, a strict watch will be kept on retailers involved in selling SIM cards.
The government has also put forward key recommendations regarding WhatsApp. These include blocking devices frequently used for fraudulent activities, linking user accounts directly to their registered SIM cards, and identifying suspicious calls of unusually long duration.
Furthermore, there is a proposal to retain data from deleted accounts for a specific period to assist investigative agencies in their probes.
The government seeks to foster collaboration between digital platforms and agencies such as the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre. This synergy aims to prevent frauds at their nascent stages and expedite the enforcement of punitive actions.
Under the regulations of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), a demand has been raised to implement a nationwide provision for the immediate freezing of suspicious bank accounts. This measure would deny fraudsters the opportunity to withdraw illicit funds and help minimize financial losses for the victims.
According to the new action plan, if a fraudulent activity is facilitated through a specific digital platform, that platform may also be held accountable. This move is expected to exert pressure on these companies to bolster their security protocols.
If you become a victim of cyber fraud, immediately call the helpline number 1930. Additionally, file a formal complaint on the portal cybercrime.gov.in and promptly notify your bank. Taking timely action can save you money.
With the implementation of these new rules, digital fraud is expected to be curbed to a significant extent. Thanks to strict surveillance—ranging from SIM cards to online platforms—it will become difficult for fraudsters to operate, and the safety of the general public will be more robust than ever before.
