What Centre Said On Digital Arrest Scams, Cybercrimes In The Country
New Delhi: The number of incidents of digital arrest scams and related cybercrimes show a massive hike in the past three years, Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs, Sanjay Bandi Kumar told Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Ministry has identified and blocked over 3,962 Skype IDs and 83,668 WhatsApp accounts involved in digital arrest scams, he said.
In response to a question concerning digital arrest, blackmail and cyber impersonation raised in the parliament, Ministry informed about the steps taken by the Central government.
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Kumar stated that Ministry of Home Affairs has set up the ‘Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre’ (I4C) to handle all types of cybercrimes in the country. As part of the I4C ‘National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal’ has also launched to enable public to report instances pertaining to all types of cyber crimes. As per the data, 39,925 incidents were reported in 2022, with a total of Rs. 91.14 crore defrauded. By 2024, the number of incidents rose to 1,23,672, with a total of Rs 19,35.51 crore de-frauded. Adding further, the data also revealed that within the first two months of 2025, 17,718 cases were reported, with Rs. 210.21 crore being de-frauded by February 28.
Under 14C,‘Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System’ has been launched for immediate reporting of financial frauds and to stop siphoning off funds by the fraudsters. The Central Government has launched a comprehensive awareness programme on digital arrest scams, Minister said.
The I4C in collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has launched a caller tune campaign for raising awareness about cybercrime and promoting the Cyber Crime Helpline Number 1930 and National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). Kumar stated that the I4C proactively identified and blocked more than 3,962 Skype IDs and 83,668 Whatsapp accounts used for Digital Arrest.
The Government has also issued a Press Release on alert against incidents of ‘Blackmail’ and ‘Digital Arrest’ by cybercriminals, impersonating as police as well as NCB, CBI, RBI and other Law Enforcement Agencies.
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“The Central Government and Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have devised a system to identify and block incoming international spoofed calls displaying Indian mobile numbers appear to be originating within India. Directions have been issued to the TSPs for blocking of such incoming international spoofed calls,” Minister said.
As of February 28, 2025, more 7.81 lakh SIM cards and 2,08,469 IMEIs, as reported by police authorities, have been blocked by the Central government, he added.
