Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the nation through the 115th ‘Mann ki Baat’ program on Sunday discussed various issues. The Prime Minister cautioned people about the rising cyber crime menace digital arrest.
Cases of Digital arrest have been seeing a rise and people have lost huge amounts of money due to this. People who are victims of this cyber fraud face huge financial loss and mental stress.
The Prime Minister while addressing on the issue of Digital Arrest remarked, “If you ever get a call like this, you don’t have to be afraid. You should know no investigating agency does this kind of interrogation over phone call or video call.”
The Prime Minister talked about the ways in which it operates creating a ‘psychological pressure’ over the person. He also shared three steps to deal with it.
Digital Arrest: What is it?
Digital arrest is a new form of cyber fraud in which criminals extort money from the victims by posing themselves as government officials. The fraudsters pose themselves as police officials, ED officials, CBI officials among others and tell the victim of being involved in serious criminal allegations.
The fraudsters make the set up to seem real on video calls with uniforms, ID cards etc., and confine the victim digitally by making him stay under video call in which the victim keeps his camera on for hours. During this time the fraudsters ask for money to be transferred until then the victims are under digital arrest.
The scammers collect personal information of victims and create an atmosphere of fear and demand money to be transferred.
Three Steps to follow
The Prime Minister discussed digital arrest and how the fraudsters operate and “what is this dangerous game?” he said.
Speaking on the issue of cyber fraud of digital arrest and the way scammers operate, one of the moves is time pressure used by the fraudsters to create psychological pressure on the victim.
To deal with it, the Prime Minister highlighted three steps of digital security. Addressing the people through ‘Mann ki Baat’ he asked the people to take three step actions to deal with cyber fraud of digital arrest.
Stop, Think and Take Action are the three steps.
The first step is Stop PM Modi mentioned that on receiving a call stop, don’t panic, do not give personal information and if possible take a screenshot and record.
The second step is Think. He said that no government agency threatens on phone like this. Neither do they enquire on video call nor do they demand money.
The third step is Take Action, he added that dial the helpline 1930 and report the incident and inform family and police and preserve the evidence.
To deal with such cases of cyber-crime one needs to be aware and follow precautionary measures. The Government agencies have issued alerts and warnings about the issue.
The Prime Minister also urged schools and colleges to involve students in the campaign against cyber scam.
Addressing the people through the radio broadcast Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about various other issues.
Prime Minister Modi mentioned the celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Iron Man of India Sardar Patel and freedom fighter Birsa Munda. He urged the citizens to participate in the campaign.
In his address he mentioned the popularity of Indian animation characters and the gaming space in the country which is growing. He stated that in the world of animation Made in India and Made by Indians are seen everywhere.
He also emphasised on Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
