BENGALURU, India – In just five hours, retired professor Kamta Prasad Singh watched helplessly as his entire life savings were siphoned away by online fraudsters posing as law enforcement officers.
This crime, known as “digital arrest,” has skyrocketed in India. Fraudsters impersonate police officers online, demanding large sums of money from victims under the guise of criminal investigations. The growing scale of these scams has prompted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to issue urgent warnings to the public.
Singh, a 62-year-old from Bihar, shared the devastating impact of the scam with AFP. “The money I lost was my entire savings,” he said, his voice filled with emotion. “I have always lived frugally—avoiding luxuries and walking to save a few rupees. Only I know how I managed to save this money.”
Authorities have attributed the rise in these scams to the rapid digitization of India, with personal data and banking moving online at lightning speed, while many citizens remain unaware of basic internet safety practices. Fraudsters exploit this vulnerability by using stolen data, including Aadhaar details, to create seemingly legitimate demands that prey on the fear and trust of their victims.
Prime Minister Modi, in an October radio address, said that scammers often create intense psychological pressure on their victims, leaving them terrified into draining their bank accounts.
A Growing Crisis
The advancement of mobile technology, especially video calls, has made it easier for fraudsters to directly target people in their homes. India’s Aadhaar system, the world’s largest biometric digital identity program, is often misused by scammers to make their demands seem authentic.
These fraudsters frequently claim to be police investigating illicit transactions linked to a victim’s Aadhaar number, then convince their targets to transfer funds temporarily for “account verification” before stealing the money.
Singh’s nightmare began in December when he received a call, allegedly from the telecom regulator. The scammers claimed that his Aadhaar ID had been linked to illegal transactions and threatened his arrest. Fearful for his safety, Singh transferred over US$16,100 (RM72,376) to “prove” his control over his bank account.
“I’ve lost sleep, I don’t feel like eating. I feel ruined,” he lamented.
Psychological Manipulation and the Ease of Deception
The ability of scammers to create such convincing stories has alarmed law enforcement officials. Sushil Kumar, a police officer who has dealt with cybercrimes for over five years, said, “The scariest part is how legitimate these scams appear. The perpetrators come from all walks of life, from school dropouts to highly educated individuals who know exactly how to exploit gaps in digital literacy.”
In 2022, India recorded 17,470 cybercrimes, including 6,491 cases of online bank fraud, according to government data. Scammers’ tactics are diverse and ever-evolving.
Kaveri, a 71-year-old woman, shared how fraudsters posing as FedEx officials contacted her, claiming she had sent a parcel containing illegal items. They provided her personal information and forged official documents to back their claim. After six days and four installments totaling US$120,000 (RM539,408), the fraudsters disappeared, leaving Kaveri devastated.
“It felt like I was trapped in a dark tunnel,” she said, her voice reflecting the emotional toll.
False Police Calls and Ongoing Scams
Meeta, a 35-year-old private health professional from Bengaluru, was similarly duped via a video call. The scammers, posing as police officers, convinced her to take out a loan to prove she controlled her bank account. After convincing her to make a “temporary” transfer, they vanished with her funds. Despite notifying the bank, Meeta is still being asked to repay the loan.
“My faith in banks has shattered,” she said, her frustration evident. “I hope those thieves rot in hell.”
As scams become more sophisticated, India’s battle against digital fraud is only intensifying. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and educated on online safety to avoid falling victim to these devastating schemes.
