The North News
New Delhi, March 25
The Centre government has stepped up efforts to combat digital fraud, blocking more than 3,962 Skype IDs and 83,668 WhatsApp accounts used for so-called “digital arrests,” the Ministry of Home Affairs has said. The initiative, led by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), has also resulted in the blocking of 7.81 lakh SIM cards and 2,08,469 IMEIs, following reports from law enforcement agencies.
The Ministry said digital arrest scams—where criminals impersonate police or government officials to extort victims—are on the rise. In response, the government has launched awareness campaigns across newspapers, social media, and even caller tunes to warn the public.
The government has also enhanced its Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting System, which was launched in 2021 to prevent financial fraud. So far, it has helped recover over ₹4,386 crore from cyber criminals across 13.36 lakh complaints. A toll-free helpline (1930) has been set up for immediate assistance.
Other measures include:
- A caller tune awareness campaign with telecom operators broadcasting warnings in regional languages.
- Crackdowns on international spoofed calls that falsely appear as Indian numbers.
- Increased collaboration between law enforcement and telecom service providers to curb cyber fraud.
- A dedicated cybercrime reporting portal to help victims report scams, particularly those targeting women and children.
The Prime Minister addressed the issue in his “Mann Ki Baat” radio programme in October 2024, urging citizens to stay alert. Meanwhile, the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) has been upgraded to handle cases more efficiently. As scams become more sophisticated, officials warn that public vigilance is key. The Indian government continues to expand its efforts to combat online fraud and protect digital users from emerging cyber threats.
