The government has now announced to take decisive steps against the digital arrest scam. To stop WhatsApp accounts being used on a large scale by cyber thugs, the government has given strict instructions to block WhatsApp at the device ID level. Based on the report of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C), the Home Ministry has started this action, so that the scammers who commit fraud by repeatedly creating new accounts can be curbed.
In the Digital Arrest Scam, lakhs and crores of rupees are being cheated by making people fear the police or investigation agency through WhatsApp calls, video calls and messages. The government is now preparing to block not only the account but the entire device so that it becomes difficult for scammers to start afresh. Besides, a plan has also been made to immediately identify and block malicious APKs and fake apps.
Scammers create a new account immediately when an account is blocked. Therefore, the government has now decided to impose a ban at the device level. According to the I4C report, misuse of WhatsApp is being seen most in digital arrest scam. For this reason, WhatsApp has been ordered to block the device IDs being used in scams.
Device ID is the unique identification of any mobile or gadget, which is recorded in the form of a special number. This is just like every person in India has an Aadhaar number. Device IDs can be of many types.
IMEI Number: Used to identify phones in mobile networks.
MAC Address: To identify Wi-Fi or network connections.
Device serial number: Unique number given by the company.
Advertising ID: Used for apps and advertisements.
The government is also considering implementing advanced safety features like Skype on platforms like WhatsApp. Under IT Rules 2021, emphasis can be laid on strengthening the provision of keeping the data of deleted accounts safe for 180 days, so that the investigating agencies can get evidence. Besides, the process of immediately identifying and blocking fake and malicious APK files will also be expedited.
In digital arrest scam, fraudsters call themselves posing as police officers or employees of agencies like CBI, ED. They scare the victim that a serious case is registered against them and they may be arrested soon. Then they try to call other cities by making excuses. When the victim expresses inability, he is said to be kept in ‘digital arrest’. By giving fake orders to remain in front of the camera, they continuously monitor the video calls and ask for money. Thousands of people have become victims of this scam in the last two years.
