BENGALURU, India – In a matter of hours, retired professor Kamta Prasad Singh saw his life’s savings vanish, deceived by online fraudsters masquerading as law enforcement.
The scam, dubbed “digital arrest,” has become alarmingly widespread in India, prompting warnings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Fraudsters impersonate police officers, coercing victims into transferring vast sums of money under the guise of legal troubles.
Singh, a 62-year-old from Bihar, shared his ordeal: “I’ve spent years saving this money. I skipped small luxuries like tea outside or public transport. Only I know the sacrifices I made.” His voice trembled as he recounted the loss of over $16,000 USD (₹72,000).
Exploiting a Digital Divide
The rapid digitalization of India, spearheaded by initiatives like Aadhaar—the world’s largest biometric ID program—has created fertile ground for cybercriminals. While more than a billion Indians are now digitally connected, awareness about basic online security lags far behind.
Fraudsters leverage data breaches and advanced technology to impersonate government officials. By quoting personal details like Aadhaar numbers, they lend their schemes an air of credibility. Victims are often coerced into making “temporary” bank transfers, which result in their funds being stolen.
In a recent radio address, Modi highlighted the psychological tactics used by scammers, noting, “They create so much fear that people empty their bank accounts out of sheer panic.”
Stories of Devastation
Singh’s ordeal began with a call allegedly from the telecom regulatory authority, claiming his Aadhaar ID had been linked to illegal activities. Terrified by threats of imminent arrest, he followed the scammers’ instructions, transferring his savings.
“I’ve lost sleep, I can’t eat,” Singh lamented. “I feel completely ruined.”
Kaveri, a 71-year-old from Bengaluru, was conned into transferring $120,000 USD (₹540,000) after fraudsters posed as FedEx officials. They claimed she was implicated in an international drug smuggling case, presenting fake documents and even forged letters from India’s Central Bureau of Investigation.
Meeta, a 35-year-old health professional, was targeted through a video call that appeared to originate from a bustling police station. Convinced by the scammers’ convincing setup, she took out a bank loan of ₹200,000 (approximately $2,300 USD) and transferred the funds. To her dismay, the bank still demands loan repayments despite her being a victim of fraud.
“My trust in banks has been shattered,” Meeta said. “I hope the criminals rot in hell.”
A Growing Crisis
India recorded over 17,470 cybercrime cases in 2022, including 6,491 incidents of online banking fraud. Police officer Sushil Kumar, who has investigated cybercrimes for years, warns that scammers range from school dropouts to highly educated individuals.
“They’ve mastered the art of mimicking government procedures and exploiting vulnerabilities,” Kumar explained.
The Need for Awareness
The surge in cyber fraud highlights a pressing need for increased public awareness and stronger safeguards in India’s digital ecosystem. Until then, stories like Singh’s, Kaveri’s, and Meeta’s will continue to serve as stark reminders of the dangers lurking online.
