Man Ki Baat: PM Modi Addresses Cyber Fraud Surge in India

In his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep concern over rising cyber fraud cases in India, particularly scams referred to as "Digital Arrests." He emphasized that no legal provision exists for such arrests in India.

Fraudsters, often posing as officials from law enforcement agencies like the Police, CBI, or Narcotics Department, employ these scams. They contact individuals through phone or video calls, alleging their involvement in serious crimes. Fraudsters use fear-instilling calls to gather personal information and dupe victims into parting with money.

PM Modi shared a recorded conversation between a victim and a scammer, exemplifying the modus operandi. He stressed that these criminals target individuals across all age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.

To combat these scams, PM Modi urged citizens to follow a three-step approach: "Stop -- Think -- Take Action." He advised recipients of such calls to remain calm, refrain from sharing personal details, and, if possible, record the conversation or take screenshots as evidence.

The Prime Minister stressed that genuine investigative agencies never conduct inquiries over phone or video. He encouraged victims to report cyber fraud incidents to the national cyber helpline at 1930 or through the government's cybercrime portal, cybercrime.gov.in. He also highlighted the importance of preserving evidence, informing family and friends, and reporting the incident to local police.

PM Modi further stated that the government has established the National Cyber Coordination Centre to improve coordination between agencies. This initiative has already resulted in the blocking of thousands of fraudulent video calling IDs, SIM cards, mobile phones, and bank accounts.

The Prime Minister concluded by urging victims of cyber fraud to raise awareness using the hashtag #SafeDigitalIndia and appealed to educational institutions to integrate cyber safety awareness into their curriculums.