Lucknow: Cybercriminals in Uttar Pradesh have taken their scams to a new level by targeting not only ordinary citizens but also senior police officials. Recently, IPS officer Kirit Rathod narrowly avoided falling victim to such a cyber extortion attempt when fraudsters tried to threaten and deceive him. Recognizing the scam, Rathod promptly filed a complaint with the police.
Fraudulent Call on Official Government Number
On August 28, at approximately 2:50 PM, Rathod received a call on his official Closed User Group (CUG) number from an unknown caller. The caller initially asked if he was “Bholanath,” and when Rathod denied it, the caller claimed to be Inspector Ranjit Kumar from the Pahalgam Police Station in Jammu and Kashmir. The caller accused Rathod of communicating with terrorists via his mobile phone and threatened him with a “digital arrest.”
IPS Officer Quickly Detects Scam
Suspecting foul play, Rathod identified himself as a senior police official. The caller, realizing he had been detected, responded with abusive language and abruptly ended the call. Rathod then took immediate action by reporting the incident to the Mahangar Police Station.
Police Take Action and Launch Investigation
Following Rathod’s complaint, an FIR was registered by police officer Kapil Gautam. Authorities have started investigating the case, tracing the caller’s number and location to apprehend the cybercriminal responsible for the fraud attempt.
What is “Digital Arrest”?
“Digital arrest” is a new form of cybercrime where scammers impersonate officials from law enforcement agencies like the police, CBI, or NIA. They threaten victims with accusations related to terrorism, drug trafficking, or other serious offenses. Using video calls, they exert psychological pressure for hours, coercing victims to pay money to avoid arrest.
Experts Advise Public to Stay Alert
With cybercrime cases rising, experts advise citizens to remain calm if they receive threatening calls and to report immediately to the cyber helpline at 1930. Filing a police complaint at the nearest station is crucial for prompt action against such scams.
