HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Nov 4: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has urged citizens to remain vigilant against the rising cases of online frauds, particularly the emerging trend of ‘Digital Arrest’ scams, as part of its ongoing efforts to promote safe digital payment practices.
Highlighting the growing accessibility and convenience of digital transactions across the country, NPCI emphasized the importance of awareness and caution to ensure a secure, less-cash economy.
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It said that early identification of scams can help protect individuals and their families from financial and identity-related losses.
Explaining the nature of the ‘Digital Arrest’ fraud, NPCI said that scammers often pose as law enforcement officials to deceive victims.
They fabricate fake legal cases and use threats of arrest to extort money or personal information.
These fraudsters typically initiate contact through phone calls and then switch to video calls, sometimes appearing in police uniforms or using official-looking backgrounds to intimidate their targets.
The corporation advised citizens to be wary of unexpected calls from individuals claiming to represent government agencies such as the police, CBI, income tax or customs departments, particularly when such callers allege legal violations or demand urgent action.
Genuine officials, NPCI clarified, never seek payments or conduct investigations over phone or video calls.
NPCI urged users to pause and verify any suspicious communication before responding.
It recommended reporting such incidents immediately to the national cybercrime helpline by dialing 1930 or through the Department of Telecommunication’s portal (https://sancharsaathi.gov.in/sfc/).
Citizens were also encouraged to record details, take screenshots and save evidence to assist authorities in their investigations.
Reiterating its commitment to secure digital transactions, NPCI said that awareness and caution remain the most effective tools in protecting users from fraudsters exploiting fear and urgency to commit cybercrimes.
