In his 115th edition of the Mann Ki Baat radio address on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi alerted the public to the growing issue of “digital arrest” frauds. He highlighted the need for awareness to help individuals avoid these scams, stating that investigative agencies are working with state governments to address the problem.
“There is no legal provision for digital arrest. No government agency will contact you via phone or video call for such investigations,” Modi said after showing a video that demonstrated how scammers operate.
The Prime Minister explained that fraudsters often impersonate officials from law enforcement agencies, including the police, the CBI, the Narcotics Control Bureau, and the RBI. “They pose as fake officers with a lot of confidence,” he noted.
Modi urged citizens to take part in the fight against cyber scams, calling on schools and colleges to organize campaigns to raise awareness.
He provided three key steps for staying safe: “First, remain calm and do not panic. If possible, record the interaction. Second, remember that no government agency will threaten you online. Third, call 1930 to connect with the national cyber helpline and report the incident to the police.”