A key component of the government’s approach is public awareness. A comprehensive campaign has been launched, encompassing newspaper advertisements, announcements in Delhi Metro, social media influencer collaborations, Prasar Bharti and electronic media campaigns, and special programs on Aakashvani.
The Central Government has launched a multi-pronged offensive against the rising menace of digital arrest scams, deploying a range of measures from public awareness campaigns to blocking thousands of fraudulent accounts, Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.
Kumar detailed the government’s comprehensive strategy, acknowledging that “Police” and “Public Order” are state subjects, placing the primary responsibility for tackling these crimes on state and union territory law enforcement agencies (LEAs). However, the central government is actively supplementing state efforts through advisories, financial assistance, and coordinated national initiatives.
The National Crime Records Bureau compiles crime statistics in its “Crime in India” publication, but specific data on digital arrest scams is not separately maintained. Nonetheless, the government has recognised the urgency of the issue and implemented a robust response.
At the heart of the government’s strategy is the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), an attached office of the Ministry of Home Affairs, tasked with coordinating efforts to combat all forms of cybercrime, including digital arrest scams.
A key component of the government’s approach is public awareness. A comprehensive campaign has been launched, encompassing newspaper advertisements, announcements in Delhi Metro, social media influencer collaborations, Prasar Bharti and electronic media campaigns, and special programs on Aakashvani. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the issue in his “Mann Ki Baat” program on October 27, 2024, highlighting the dangers of digital arrests and urging citizens to be vigilant.
The I4C, in partnership with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has introduced a caller tune campaign to spread awareness about cybercrime and promote the Cyber Crime Helpline Number 1930 and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). These caller tunes are broadcast in regional languages multiple times a day by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs).
Identifying and blocking calls
In a significant crackdown on fraudulent accounts, the I4C has proactively identified and blocked over 3,962 Skype IDs and 83,668 WhatsApp accounts used for digital arrest scams. The government has also issued a press release alerting citizens to the tactics used by cybercriminals impersonating state/UT police, NCB, CBI, RBI, and other LEAs.
To combat international spoofed calls displaying Indian mobile numbers, the government and TSPs have implemented a system to identify and block these calls. Directions have been issued to TSPs to block such incoming international spoofed calls. Furthermore, as of February 28, 2025, over 7.81 lakh SIM cards and 2,08,469 IMEIs reported by police authorities have been blocked.
The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in), a part of the I4C, provides a platform for citizens to report all types of cybercrimes, with a special focus on crimes against women and children. State/UT LEAs handle the reported incidents, including FIR registration and subsequent action.
The Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System, launched in 2021, enables immediate reporting of financial frauds. So far, over Rs. 4,386 crore has been saved in more than 13.36 lakh complaints. The toll-free Helpline number 1930 provides assistance for lodging online cyber complaints.
The government has also intensified its efforts to spread awareness through various channels, including SMS messages, I4C social media accounts (@CyberDost on X, Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram), radio campaigns, MyGov publicity, Cyber Safety and Security Awareness weeks, handbooks for adolescents and students, and digital displays at railway stations and airports.
Kumar emphasised that these measures represent a comprehensive and coordinated effort to combat the growing threat of digital arrest scams and other cybercrimes, ensuring the safety and security of citizens in the digital realm. The government urges citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity through the designated channels.
