Government Alerts Public: CBI, ED Won’t Arrest You Over Video Calls – Beware of Digital Arrest Scams

Cybercriminals contact victims, often via video or audio calls, impersonating officials from agencies like the CBI, ED, or TRAI. They accuse the victim of crimes such as money laundering, tax evasion, or illegal advertising, presenting fabricated legal documents and threatening immediate arrest. To avoid arrest, victims are coerced into transferring money into accounts specified by the fraudsters.

In a recent incident, scammers impersonated TRAI and CBI officials, duping an employee of the Raja Ramanna Advanced Technology Centre (RRCAT) under the Department of Atomic Energy of INR 71 lakh. The victim was falsely accused of sending illegal advertisements, and threats of arrest were made over a video call.

Key Aspects of the Scam:

1. Contact and Impersonation: Scammers pose as officials from government bodies and accuse the victim of crimes.

2. False Accusations: Victims are threatened with serious charges like human trafficking or money laundering.

3. Urgent Threats: Scammers create a sense of urgency, demanding immediate payment to avoid arrest.

4. Fraudulent Payment Requests: Payments are usually requested through wire transfers, cryptocurrencies, or gift cards.

Public Advisory from I4C: The I4C advisory emphasizes that law enforcement agencies in India do not use video calls to carry out arrests. Instead, it encourages the public to stay alert and report any such suspicious activities. The advisory also highlights that the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, permits only electronic summons and hearings but not arrests. It reassures citizens that legal arrests require in-person detention under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) or BNSS protocols.

For anyone targeted by this scam, the advisory recommends reporting the crime through the national helpline at 1930 or the cybercrime website at www.cybercrime.gov.in.