Government Issues Warning: 'Digital Arrest' Letters Used by Criminals to Dupe Crores from Indians

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The government has issued a warning about a widespread cyber scam targeting people across India. The scam involves fraudulent "digital arrest" letters threatening recipients with legal action unless they comply with the scammers' demands. 

The PIB Fact Check unit, which helps debunk false claims and rumors, confirmed on X (formerly known as Twitter) that these letters are fake and urged users not to fall for the scam.

These fraudulent letters are designed to look official, often imitating the logos and letterheads of government agencies such as the Cyber Crime Cell or the Income Tax Department. They typically include fabricated charges, threats of legal action, and instructions to contact a specified phone number or email address.

The government issued a warning about the scam, stating, "In a letter supposedly issued by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C), false allegations are made against the recipient, and a reply is demanded. #PIBFactCheck confirms this letter is fake. No such letter has been issued by any government organization."

The fake letter claims to be from Rajesh Kumar, CEO of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, and in partnership with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), it alleges that the recipient’s internet protocol (IP) address has been involved in illegal activities like child pornography and pedophilia. It falsely states that legal action will follow unless the recipient responds within 24 hours, threatening prosecution if they do not comply.

To stay safe, the government advises individuals not to engage with such messages, especially those asking for money or personal information. People should verify the authenticity of any such communication by contacting relevant authorities directly. Additionally, citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to authorities to help apprehend the scammers.

The PIB urges the public to be cautious and rely only on official government sources and verified communication channels for legitimate information.