Shillong, January 31 : The East Khasi Hills District Police in Shillong has issued a public advisory warning citizens about a rise in scams involving threats of “digital arrest” and financial extortion.
The press release highlights several common tactics used by scammers:
- Parcel Interception Scam: Scammers impersonate courier companies like FedEx and claim to have intercepted a suspicious package linked to the victim. They fabricate a story about illegal items and threaten arrest by law enforcement agencies like CBI or NIA unless the victim cooperates financially.
- Family Emergency Scam: Scammers pose as law enforcement officials and inform the victim that a family member is involved in criminal activity or has been arrested. They demand immediate payment to secure their release or avoid legal complications.
- Aadhaar/Phone Misuse Scam: The victim is threatened with legal action due to alleged misuse of their Aadhaar card or phone number for illegal activities. Scammers pressure them into paying fines to clear their name.
- Explicit Content Scam: The victim receives calls accusing them of sharing explicit content using their phone number. Fake FIRs and arrest threats are used to extort money.
- Fake Legal Proceedings Scam: Scammers impersonate judges or legal officials through video calls, presenting fabricated court documents and arrest warrants. They threaten legal action and demand payment to avoid arrest.
- Financial Fraud Allegation Scam: The victim is informed about being investigated for financial crimes and shown a compromised Aadhaar card. Intimidation tactics are used to pressure them into cooperating financially to avoid arrest.
The police advise the public to be cautious when receiving calls from unknown numbers and to never share personal or banking information. If you suspect your bank details have been compromised, the advisory recommends calling 1930 immediately or filing a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in or sancharsaathi.gov.in.
By staying alert and informed, citizens can protect themselves from falling victim to these deceptive scams.
