The Ministry of Home Affairs has deactivated around 600,000 mobile numbers, blocked over 700 mobile applications, and blacklisted about 110,000 devices tied to fraudulent activities. These measures are part of a broader effort to curb the rising trend of ‘digital arrests,’ a form of cyber fraud that has entrapped numerous victims nationwide.
The operation was spearheaded by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs. To further combat these crimes, officials report that nearly 325,000 fake bank accounts tied directly to fraudulent activities have been frozen.
Digital arrests are a growing concern for India’s digital economy. In these schemes, cybercriminals initially gather extensive personal information on their targets. They then proceed to manipulate victims through psychological pressure tactics, often posing as officials or creating fear-based scenarios that make victims feel they have no option but to comply.
This tactic has proven alarmingly effective, particularly as India experiences a rapid expansion in digital adoption and financial services.
To combat this menace, authorities have invested in advanced technologies to detect suspicious activities and identify digital assets. Mobile numbers and applications flagged for unusual patterns are now swiftly deactivated or blocked.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is also taking steps in this direction. In August 2024, TRAI asked telecom operators to block messages with links, app files or phone numbers. The regulator also rolled out tougher rules to combat spam calls.
In addition, agencies are increasingly focusing on bolstering public awareness about cyber threats and encouraging citizens to report any unusual digital activity.
As The News Indian Express reports, the I4C has requested that state police agencies monitor fraud cases. Moreover, a Special Secretary for Internal Security (SSIS) has been assigned to head and manage these cases at the central and state levels.
Apart from digital arrests, various other forms of financial fraud are happening nationwide. A few days back, the State Bank of India warned about scammers luring victims into downloading malicious APKs that offer fake ‘SBI Rewards.’
Another type of scam is now prevalent in major Indian airports. Scammers instruct victims to download a ‘Longe Pass’ to access a lounge. After downloading the app, the victim notices that a major chunk of the money in the bank has been stolen.
Several state-backed threat actors are also targeting Indian users. Chinese hackers such as Smishing Triad are masquerading as India Post officers to exfiltrate Indian users’ information.
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