India blocks over 87,000 WhatsApp and Skype accounts in digital arrest scam crackdown
By Renata Fernandes14 March 20258:28 pm
In a significant move against cybercrime, the Indian government has blocked 87,630 accounts linked to the growing “digital arrest” scam. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, identified and blocked 3,962 Skype and 83,668 WhatsApp accounts used for fraud.
Key Scam Figures:
- 2022: 39,925 cases; ₹91.14 crore lost
- 2023: 60,676 cases; ₹339.03 crore lost
- 2024: 123,672 cases; ₹1,935.51 crore lost
- 2025 (Till February): 17,718 cases; ₹210.21 crore lost
How the Scam Works:
Scammers impersonate law enforcement officials and falsely accuse victims of crimes, pressuring them into transferring money under the threat of arrest. The fraudsters use spoofed numbers and fake documents to appear legitimate.
How to Stay Safe:
- Verify caller identities via official sources.
- Be wary of urgent threats and secrecy demands.
- Never share sensitive financial details.
- Report fraud to Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or local police immediately.
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Bengaluru senior citizen loses ₹1.94 crore in digital arrest scam
#CyberCrime #DigitalArrestScam #WhatsAppFraud #OnlineSafety