Home Ministry blocks over 17,000 WhatsApp accounts to curb 'digital arrest'

In a significant move against cyber fraud, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has blocked over 17,000 WhatsApp accounts allegedly involved in "digital arrest" scams. Sources reveal that most of these accounts originated from countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, where they were being used to deceive victims globally.

The action, carried out by the MHA's cybercrime coordination center, follows numerous complaints filed through online platforms. After reviewing these complaints, the MHA flagged suspicious accounts and directed WhatsApp to block them to curb such fraudulent activities.

Digital arrest scams involve fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officials—such as CBI agents, income tax officers, or customs officials—and pressuring individuals into transferring large sums of money under the guise of legal trouble. Victims are intimidated by false accusations of illegal activities, creating a sense of urgency and fear to manipulate them.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently highlighted the rise of such scams, urging citizens to report incidents via the cyber helpline to safeguard themselves from these schemes.

According to the Home Ministry's cyber wing, scammers were extracting nearly Rs 6 crore daily through digital arrest frauds, amounting to a staggering Rs 2,140 crore stolen in just the first ten months of this year. The cyber wing has documented over 92,334 cases of such fraud till October.