The Prime Minister emphasised that those involved in the crime are enemies of society. (File)
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the issue of “digital arrests” in the 115th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ and termed it a fraudulent activity. He urged people to be vigilant and safe.
The Prime Minister emphasised that those involved in the crime are enemies of society. “…there is no such provision as digital arrest in the law, it is just fraud, deceit, lies, gang of criminals and those who are doing this are enemies of society…,” the Prime Minister cautioned.
Addressing the rising cases and concerns of techno-crime, PM Modi told the listeners that various investigative agencies are working closely with the state governments to tackle these fraudulent schemes.
He said that the National Cyber ​​Coordination Centre has been set up to enhance coordination between these agencies. “This initiative aims to strengthen efforts against cybercrime and protect citizens from such scams, which reaffirms the Government’s commitment to ensure public safety in the digital space,” the Prime Minister said.
“Beware of Digital Arrest frauds… No investigative agency will ever contact you over phone or video call for questioning… Digital Arrest phone call fraudsters impersonate fake officials, sometimes using the name of Police, CBI and Narcotics, sometimes RBI… Using many such labels, they speak with great confidence. Many listeners of #MannKiBaat have expressed a desire that we should discuss this. Let me tell you how these fraud gangs operate. What is this dangerous game? It is very important for you to understand this and equally important for others to understand this,” the Prime Minister said.
During the radio talk, Prime Minister Modi played a video to make people understand the gravity of the crime.
Explaining the modus operandi to the audience, PM Modi said, “First step… they collect all your personal information… “You went to Goa last month, right? Your daughter studies in Delhi, right?” They collect so much information about you that you will be surprised.”
“Second step- creating an atmosphere of fear… uniform, government office arrangements, legal sections… they will scare you so much on the phone… you will not be able to think in the middle of the conversation. And then their third trick begins- time pressure. “You have to decide now or else you will be arrested” – these people create so much psychological pressure on the victim that the person gets scared. People of every class and age group are victims of digital arrest. People have lost lakhs of rupees earned by their hard work due to fear. Whenever you get such a call, do not be afraid. You should know that no investigation agency ever interrogates like this through phone calls or video calls.” PM Modi listed three steps of digital security. These three steps are – ‘Stop – Think – Act.’
“As soon as you get a call, stop… don’t panic, stay calm, don’t act hastily, don’t give out your personal information to anyone; if possible, take a screenshot and record it. Then comes the second step. The first step was ‘stop’ and the second step was ‘think’. No government agency threatens you over the phone like this, neither does it question you over a video call like this nor does it ask for money. If you feel scared, then understand that something is wrong. First step, second step and now I will tell you the third step. In the first step I said – ‘stop’… in the second step I said – ‘think’ and in the third step I said – ‘take action’.”
He also mentioned reporting to the national cyber helpline 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in or informing family and police and keeping the evidence safe.
“Stop, then think and then act, these three steps will become the protectors of your digital security,” the PM said. The PM said that agencies have blocked thousands of such fake video calling IDs. Lakhs of SIM cards, mobile phones and bank accounts have also been blocked. “The agencies are doing their work, but to prevent scams in the name of digital arrests, it is very important that everyone is aware, every citizen is aware. Those who are victims of such cyber frauds should tell as many people as possible about it. You can use #SafeDigitalIndia for awareness.”
PM Modi also urged schools and colleges to involve students in the campaign against cyber scams. “We can fight this challenge only with the collective efforts of society,” he said.
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