- By Imran Zafar
- Sun, 15 Dec 2024 01:10 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Amid a surge in cybercrimes like the ‘Digital Arrest Scam,’ some residents are successfully identifying and thwarting fraud attempts. A recent incident in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal highlighted this growing awareness among people. Graphic designer Anirudh Bapat received a call from a fraudster posing as a Mumbai Crime Branch officer, accusing him of illegal recovery activities. Sensing something amiss, Anirudh skillfully exposed the scam, catching the caller off guard.
What makes this scam attempt particularly unusual is that after Anirudh outsmarted the cybercriminals, they reached out to him on WhatsApp, seeking feedback on their "acting" and asking how he managed to expose their deception.
Anirudh explained that the scam began with a call from a number starting with "+97," which immediately raised his suspicion. The caller used an IVRS system to claim that Anirudh’s number was implicated in illegal recovery operations. He was threatened with arrest unless he reported to the Mumbai Crime Branch within two hours.
When Anirudh expressed his inability to comply, the scammers escalated the situation by arranging a video call with another individual posing as a Crime Branch officer. Prepared for the interaction, Anirudh began recording the video call.
"I knew it was fake," said Anirudh. He maintained his composure, engaging the scammers until they inadvertently revealed their intent. His quick thinking not only protected him but also showcased how vigilance and awareness can thwart cybercrime attempts.
Authorities continue to urge citizens to remain cautious and report such incidents to prevent further fraud. Here’s how you can avoid being scammed:
- Avoid answering calls from unknown numbers.
- Report any threats to the police immediately.
- Never transfer money to unknown accounts.
- Refrain from downloading suspicious files or clicking on unwanted links.