HYDERABAD: Cybercrime police warn against ‘digital arrest’ frauds
HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad City Police Cybercrime Unit has warned citizens about an alarming increase in “digital arrest” scams. Fraudsters are posing as law enforcement officers, government officials, or courier company staff to extort money by threatening arrest, account freezes, or legal action in alleged cases involving money laundering, trafficking, narcotics, or terrorism.
Scammers use forged FIRs, fake warrants, RBI letters
Police said the fraudsters impersonate officials from agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Customs, Enforcement Directorate (ED), Department of Telecommunications (DoT), and National Investigation Agency (NIA). They intimidate victims through WhatsApp video calls, showing forged First Information Reports (FIRs), non-bailable warrants, or Reserve Bank of India (RBI) letters to appear credible.
The scammers often demand victims to “submit” their money to the Supreme Court as supposed proof of innocence. Victims are coerced to liquidate assets or transfer funds under the guise of “verification” or obtaining a “No Involvement Certificate”.
Police urge citizens to stay alert, report immediately
Authorities clarified that no law enforcement agency conducts arrests digitally or demands money to clear anyone’s name. Citizens are advised not to panic, share personal or financial details, or transfer money. They should hang up immediately on such calls and verify any claims directly with local police or government helplines, not through numbers or links shared by callers.
People are urged to preserve evidence such as call logs, WhatsApp messages, screenshots, and transaction details, and report incidents to the National Cybercrime Helpline (1930) or cybercrime.gov.in. For awareness updates, citizens can follow @cybercrimepshyd on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
