Cybercrime and scams are not new but it seems like the frauds are getting more creative and active these days. An X (formerly Twitter) user shared details of a digital arrest scam that he faced recently. In a long thread, he shared videos of how a fake cop tried to cheat and extort money from him. While the victim was aware that he was being trapped, he still played along to see how the whole thing pans out and it is something you all should be aware of as well. So, keep reading on!
X User Shares How Fake Cop Tried To Scam Him Over WhatsApp Call
DIGITAL ARREST SCAM🚨
FIRST TIME LIVE RECORDING.
1. Please read, watch, and share this thread as much as possible so we can save more people from this fraud. pic.twitter.com/n6s0pEuYQu
— Vijay Patel🇮🇳 (@vijaygajera) October 24, 2024
An independent analyst, Vijay Patel took to X to share videos of a digital arrest scam that he recently faced. To begin with, he received a call from an unknown number. The callers claimed that they were representatives of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). They told him that the victim’s phone number was being misused for harassment and financial fraud. The scammers then asked him to either visit the Lucknow police station in Uttar Pradesh within 12 hours or register his statement via a WhatsApp video call.
Now, Vijay understood that he was being duped, but he played along as he wanted to see how the scammers planned this digital arrest scam. So, he picked the most common option that people will use – video call. In the video, the cyber fraudster, posing as a police officer, was seen dressed in a uniform with a police station-like set-up in the background. The victim was asked to give a 360-degree view of the room he was in to ensure that no one else was in the room.
Then, the fake cop began inquiring about Vijay’s Aadhar Card and even suggested ways to prevent its illegal use. To appear more authentic, the victim also received a fake letter that included his name and Aadhar card number, However, there was a spelling mistake in the document.
As the call went on, the scammer used a walkie-talkie to ‘consult’ with senior officials and then suddenly changed his tone and became a bit threatening. He accused the victim of being connected to Nawab Malik in a money laundering case. The scammers wanted to know how many bank accounts the victim had and how much money was in them. The fake cop then told the victim that he would need to transfer all the money from his bank accounts. Once they are sure that he is innocent, the money would be returned and he would get a clean chit in the case.
Vijay shared the whole incident along with videos to make people aware of such scams.
Also Read: Passengers Beware! Woman Scammed Of ₹87,000 While Using ‘Lounge App’ At Bengaluru Airport
Netizens React To This Digital Arrest Scam
Thousands of netizens commented on Vijay Patel’s post about the digital arrest scam. Many shared their own stories of similar digital fraud, while others pointed out how these scammers are becoming bolder. A few also called these scam callers “entertaining”. Here are some comments from this post that you cannot miss out on.
Lots of same incident happen every day, the government should take concrete action in this direction
— Deepak Kainthal (@Deepak_Kainthal) October 24, 2024
Scammers are everywhere.
Specially in Gujarat..— BITTU SHARMA- بٹو شرما (@common000786Om) October 24, 2024
Happened with my father I saved him and also lodged a cyber crime report
— Shashank Rustagi (@SRustagi1996) October 24, 2024
Bang on Vijay !
Great job in recording this scam in its entirety & posting a crystal clear thread.
It will surely create awareness among people regarding this type of fraud.
— Uɴʙᴏx Mᴀᴛʀɪx (@unboxmatrix) October 24, 2024
Digital India, misused. Wtf people are doing?
— yatharth* (@CastePatroller) October 24, 2024
I really appreciate your presence of mind and the way you have handled it in a very diplomatic way
— Lets make world a better place (@bossafzal5) October 24, 2024
These types of calls are increasing nowadays
— Madhu S Gowda | madhusgowda.eth (@madhusgowda_) October 24, 2024
Thank you for sharing this important information. Raising awareness about such scams is crucial to protecting others. I will definitely read and share this thread to help spread the word.
— Sudeep 🐼 (@SudeepSonawane) October 24, 2024
I got the same type of call,but I blocked the number
— manish bhargava (@manishjnv) October 24, 2024
I mean, it has become more common nowadays, but ppl are getting more aware of it . So now they are coming up with new tactics day by day
— Rishit Jain 💫 (@RJ12456) October 24, 2024
When I get calls in my free time from TRAI or Customs saying DHL parcel has been held, I take a lot of fun in playing along, stress buster, please keep calling me, who knows some day I might transfer some amount to you for the entertainment!
— NILESH SHUKLA (@twoweetor) October 24, 2024
Also Read: 6 Tourist Scams In Baku To Be Careful Of And How To Avoid Them
Have you had a similar experience with scammers? Let us know in the comments how you dealt with it.
Cover Image Courtesy: X/vijaygajera & Canva (representative image)
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