- विज्ञापन -
By Sahil Sharma: What would you do if someone calls you pretending to be an officer from the ED, CBI, Income Tax, or Police, and threatens you with imprisonment? People have become so afraid of these institutions that mere mention of their names sends shivers down their spines. The fear of being handcuffed looms so large that people end up handing over their hard-earned money to fraudsters. Unfortunately, these scams are making headlines every day, yet individuals continue to fall into these digital traps.
Take, for instance, the case of Bihar IMA President, Dr. Abhay Narayan. Responding to a call from someone posing as a CBI officer, he panicked. The scammer informed him that a mobile number and an HDFC bank account in Mumbai had been opened under his name, allegedly connected to money laundering. In his shock, Dr. Narayan didn’t question the claim and succumbed to fear. Within days, he transferred over ₹4 crore across 123 bank accounts, only to realize later that he had been duped.
This phenomenon, termed “Digital arrest”, is where a person is mentally imprisoned by threats over the phone, usually resulting in huge financial losses. Despite news stories, many individuals, even the well-educated, continue to fall for this fraud, highlighting the pervasive fear of authorities like the ED and CBI.
How Do These Scams Work?
The technique used in such frauds is remarkably simple, yet devastatingly effective. The caller, often pretending to be from a governmental or investigative agency, claims that the target’s involvement in some illegal activity has come to light, often money laundering, drugs, or benami property. In their panic, the victim is convinced to transfer money to avoid arrest or legal action.
A neurologist from Lucknow, Dr. Ruchika Tandon, was contacted by someone impersonating an ED officer, claiming that her bank account was used for money laundering. Before she realized it, ₹2.81 crore had been drained from her account. The fraudsters told her that transactions from her account were tied to infamous Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal. Her fear clouded her judgment, leading her into the scam.
A retired Major General in Noida was another victim. From 10th to 14th August, he remained under “digital arrest” after a scammer told him that a DHL parcel in his name contained illegal drugs. Fearing legal action, he transferred ₹2 crore before realizing the fraud. In another case, Professor Srijata Dey from BITS Pilani was “digitally arrested” for three months. The caller informed her that her Aadhaar number was involved in a cybercrime. Despite being a highly educated individual, she transferred ₹7.67 crore to scammers, even borrowing ₹80 lakh to pay off the false charges.
Why Do People Fall for These Scams?
The psychological grip these fraudsters have on their victims is based on fear. Even educated and accomplished individuals fall prey to these scams because the threat seems so real. The fear of legal action, of imprisonment, and the stigma associated with such accusations makes them vulnerable. Fraudsters exploit this fear with great precision. The con artists are tech-savvy and well-prepared. They speak fluent English, show fake IDs on video calls, and even have agency logos in the background. In some cases, the set-up mimics a courtroom or official government office. These props and techniques make the scam appear even more legitimate.
The fear stems from how the ED and CBI have functioned in high-profile arrests, often dragging individuals through long legal battles. When even prominent figures, such as editors and MPs, find it difficult to defend themselves against such charges, the common man, faced with a similar threat, is more likely to crumble.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
As alarming as these cases are, there are ways to protect yourself from becoming a victim of digital arrest:
The scale of these digital scams is staggering, with an estimated ₹400 crore defrauded in just 4 months. What’s more concerning is that the masterminds of these frauds often operate from foreign countries, transferring the money into cryptocurrency through a complex chain of accounts. Digital arrest is a stark reminder of how fear can be weaponized in today’s interconnected world. If we can overcome the fear and stay vigilant, we can prevent these fraudsters from ruining more lives.
