One video call in the morning can change your life forever. A person in a police uniform on your screen puts you under 'Digital Arrest' and drains your life savings. This new scam is rampant in Bengaluru. Remember, real police never interrogate via Skype or WhatsApp. Your fear is the scammer's only capital.
| Raju Melinamane
It was around 9:30 AM. In a well-furnished apartment in Bengaluru’s Whitefield, Ramesh (name changed) opened his laptop to prepare for an office meeting. The whistle of a pressure cooker from the kitchen, the distant hum of traffic outside—everything felt like just another ordinary day. That was, until his phone rang.
The display showed an unknown number. Ramesh answered. A mechanical voice on the other end announced, "Calling from FedEx Courier. Your parcel has been seized." Ramesh laughed it off. "I haven't sent any parcel," he said, ready to hang up. But the voice on the other end turned grave. "Sir, this is not an ordinary parcel. This package, bound for Taiwan, contains your Aadhaar card, five fake passports, three credit cards, and 200 grams of MDMA drugs. Mumbai Customs officials will now speak to you." The call was transferred.
In a split second, Ramesh transformed from a regular IT employee into an accused in an international drug trafficking ring! The 'officer' on the line roared with such authority that terror gripped Ramesh. "Your Aadhaar card has been used to issue SIM cards to terrorists. Money laundering has occurred. Turn on your video call right now, or the Bengaluru Police will arrive at your doorstep in 30 minutes to arrest you."
Trembling, Ramesh downloaded Skype and switched on the video call.
The scene on the screen completely convinced him. A senior officer in a khaki uniform sat opposite him. Behind him was a police station board, an Indian flag on the table, and the static noise of wireless sets in the background. The setup looked exactly like a genuine police station, and it mentally handcuffed Ramesh. The fake officer declared, "This is a matter of National Security. Until the investigation is over, you cannot disconnect this call. You cannot leave your house. You cannot call anyone. You are under 'Digital Arrest'."
Ramesh’s freedom was instantly stripped away. He became a prisoner in his own home. For the next 48 hours, the fake officers didn't let him out of their sight for even a second. The camera had to be on while he ate. Even when he went to the bathroom, he was ordered to keep the phone camera on and the door ajar. The self-respect of a well-educated man was crushed to such an extent that Ramesh endured this humiliation. The reason was simple—the terrifying fear of going to jail.
This isn't just Ramesh's story. It is the dark face of Digital India that is becoming increasingly prevalent. We call this 'Digital Arrest'. Here, no police jeep arrives, no metal handcuffs are placed on your wrists. Instead, they shackle your mind with fear and turn your bedroom into a prison. The victims of this scam are not illiterate villagers. They are IIT graduates, retired IAS officers, doctors, and High Court lawyers.
They exploit the Fear of 'Shame' more than death!
We must understand the psychology behind this racket. For a human being, the fear of 'social humiliation' is often greater than the fear of death. "Drugs were found in my name... if this comes on TV news, what will happen to my reputation? What about my social standing?" This single thought destroys a person's Logical Thinking. Scammers capitalize on this. They don't give you time to think. They hijack your brain with rapid-fire threats.
The police station you see on the video call is actually a 'studio'. In a large hall in some corner of Cambodia, Myanmar, or Laos, hundreds of people sit together. They have set up fake police stations, much like movie sets. Indian police uniforms are available there for rent. Indian youths, who went there seeking jobs and got trapped, are forced to act in this drama. Behind them, green screens display CBI logos or police station backdrops.
The climax of this drama arrives when money enters the picture. "The money in your bank account might be illegal proceeds. Therefore, as per RBI rules, you must transfer all your funds to a 'Verification Account' provided by us. We will verify it, and the moment we confirm it is 'white money', we will refund it in 15 minutes," they claim. Victims, fearing for their lives, break their Fixed Deposits, sell mutual funds, and sometimes even pledge gold to transfer money to these accounts.
The moment the money is transferred, the voice on the other end says, "Investigation complete. You may hang up." The call cuts. Ramesh sighs in relief. He waits for 15 minutes. Half an hour, one hour, a day passes. The money never comes back. The number is switched off. That is when Ramesh realizes he hasn't just lost money; he has lost his life's entire savings.
In Bengaluru city alone, over ₹1,500 Crores were lost to such scams last year! The case of a woman from Indiranagar who lost a staggering ₹31 Crores sends shivers down the spine. She was under digital arrest for six days. She was threatened into silence, hiding it from even her husband and children. This is not just a financial crime; it is mental rape.
There is NO system of Video Call Interrogation!
Here is the most critical legal fact you must know. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Indian Penal Code), or any investigative agency's protocol, there is absolutely no procedure to interrogate an accused via video call. If the police want to arrest you, they must come to your home in uniform, show their ID card, and present a warrant. No one can arrest you by showing an Aadhaar card on Skype or WhatsApp. The Supreme Court has also clarified this.
So why do people believe them? The answer is simple—blind fear of authority and uniforms. The fake ID cards they show, the 'Legal Jargon' they use, and the artificial emergency they create turn intelligent people into fools. When they say, "This is a National Secret, if you speak up, we will file a treason case," everyone falls silent.
Common Sense is more important than Tech Knowledge!
To escape this scam, you don't need technology expertise; you need Common Sense. A real CBI officer or Crime Branch official does not have the leisure to chat with you on a video call for hours. They jump straight into action.
If you ever receive such a call, no matter if the person on the other end claims to be the Police Commissioner, ask just one question: "Sir, tell me which police station I should come to. I will come there personally." This one sentence is enough to reveal their true colors.
Just because they recite your Aadhaar number doesn't mean they are police. Today, our Aadhaar data is sold on the dark web like vegetables in a market. They know your name, address, and PAN card details beforehand. They use that very data to gain your trust.
Another crucial point: Government agencies NEVER conduct official business via Skype, WhatsApp, or Telegram. They will never give a personal account number to transfer money. There is no such thing as an 'RBI Safe Locker' account. If someone asks for money, it means it is 100% a SCAM.
What should we do?
Make a promise today. As soon as you go home, explain 'Digital Arrest' to your parents, spouse, and children. Give them this assurance: "No matter who calls claiming to be the police, don't be afraid. Cut the call first and tell me." Scammers specifically target lonely people, retirees, and homemakers.
If such a call comes, dial 1930 (Cyber Crime Helpline) immediately. The first one hour is the 'Golden Hour'. Filing a complaint within this time increases the chances of recovering your money.
Don't be afraid. Question them. Don't let your phone's camera become an eye watching you; let it be your window to the world. Remember, in the digital world, trusting a stranger's call is like handing over your house keys to a thief. If you let your guard down, the next victim of 'Digital Arrest' could be you.
Stay Awake. Stay Safe. This is Tech Vaidya's concern.
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