What is Digital House Arrest
Digital house arrest is a new method of cybercrime where the perpetrator impersonates various authorities like police officers, investigation officers, cybercrime department personnel, or airport authorities to intimidate and threaten an individual (male/female) by making false accusations. They might say things like, “An FIR has been filed against you,” “A woman has lodged a complaint against you,” “Prohibited substances (like marijuana, opium, drugs, etc.) were found at the airport, and your name was on the list,” or “Pornographic videos were found on your mobile.” These false claims are made to instill fear of public shame, legal action, or arrest in the victim, making them think that paying money might resolve the issue.
Sometimes, cybercriminals trick the victim into installing an app on their mobile or laptop under the guise of an investigation. Through video calls, they instill the fear of arrest, take control of the victim’s mobile, or prevent them from leaving their house. The victim is often kept from contacting anyone for help. The fraudsters aim to ensure the victim can’t reach out for help because they fear that doing so might thwart their scam.
Who Are the Targets?
Cybercriminals typically target individuals who seem naive or less aware. Teenagers who are active on mobile phones are also potential targets. Women and girls are often targeted with threats related to pornography viewing, conversations with men, or similar matters that could cause embarrassment. Many people use gadgets like smartphones and laptops but lack awareness about cybersecurity. They might engage in online banking but are not well-versed in secure digital transactions. Such individuals become easy targets for fraudsters.
Examples of Cases
Recently, a woman from Noida shared her experience with digital house arrest. She received a call from someone claiming to be an employee of an international courier company who accused her of having drugs in a parcel sent in her name. She was threatened with a complaint to the Mumbai Cyber Crime Branch. Following this, she received a video call with a police station background, where the impersonator, posing as a police officer, kept her awake all night and extorted ₹5.20 lakhs from her through various accounts.
In another case, a female doctor received a call from an unknown number, with the caller pretending to be from TRAI. The caller threatened her with accusations of sending obscene videos and money laundering. On July 14, they extorted ₹59.54 lakhs by threatening to kidnap her daughter and ruin her life. The scammers continued to intimidate her via Skype calls and demanded multiple transfers of money, which led her to file a complaint with the Cyber Crime Department.
The first case of digital house arrest came to light in December last year. In the first four months of 2024 alone, there have been 4,599 cases of digital house arrest nationwide, resulting in over ₹120 crores in fraud.
How to Protect Yourself
- Use Virtual Keypads: When typing passwords, use the virtual keypad provided on websites instead of your mobile’s physical keypad to prevent passwords from being saved.
- Strong and Unique Passwords: Avoid using simple or easily guessable passwords like birth dates or mobile numbers. Regularly change passwords and use complex combinations. Keep them written down in a secure place.
- Avoid Unknown Calls: Refrain from answering calls from unknown numbers, especially video calls or internet-based calls.
- Beware of Unknown Groups: If someone adds you to an unknown WhatsApp group or sends you messages on social media asking you to like pages or join groups, verify the reason and avoid joining.
- Avoid Video Call Scams: Be cautious if someone on a video call asks for money, especially if they appear as your acquaintances. Verify their identity before making any transactions.
- Verify Suspicious Calls: If someone calls claiming to have found drugs or misusing your ID, contact the police immediately. Do not share personal details over the phone.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Always turn on two-factor authentication where available on social media sites and email accounts.
- Verify Bank Details Requests: Never share bank details or PINs over the phone without verifying the caller’s identity.
Where to File Complaints
- Call 1930 for reporting such crimes.
- Seek help at www.cybercrime.gov.in.
- Report on social media through @cyberdost on X (formerly Twitter).
- Use the Chakshu portal launched by the government.
- File a complaint at your nearest police station or cyber police station.
Penalties for Cyber Crimes
- Email Spoofing and Fraud: Under Section 77B of the IT Act 2000, Section 66D of the IT (Amendment) Act 2008, and Sections 417, 419, 420, and 465 of the IPC, penalties include up to three years in jail and fines.
- Identity Theft: Under Section 43, 66 (C) of the IT (Amendment) Act 2008 and Section 419 of the IPC, penalties include up to three years in jail and/or fines up to one lakh rupees.
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