In a recent episode of his monthly address, Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi showcased the remarkable quick thinking of Santosh Patil, a resident of Vijayapura district in Karnataka, who successfully evaded a cyber fraud attempt. The incident involved fraudsters impersonating police officers under the guise of a “Digital Arrest,” a tactic that has become increasingly common in the digital age.
The story gained traction when Telangana’s senior IPS officer, VC Sajjanar, shared Patil’s video on his social media account, where it quickly went viral. Recognizing the importance of the incident, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) sought to trace Patil and learn firsthand about his experience to include it in the Mann Ki Baat broadcast.
In today’s Mann Ki Baat episode, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi discussed about digital frauds and shared a video of a person speaking to pseudo police officers. He highlighted how this person cleverly avoided falling into the traps of cybercrooks. On September 19th,… https://t.co/sfA1pIvVyi pic.twitter.com/6b6pINNZ06
— V.C. Sajjanar, IPS (@SajjanarVC) October 27, 2024
Sajjanar, upon being contacted by the PMO through the Ministry of Home Affairs, embarked on a mission to locate Patil. “I was shocked to see how the cyber fraudsters, dressed in police uniforms, tried to con Santosh. His instinct to record the conversation helped him evade their trap,” Sajjanar explained. After hours of effort, the officer successfully traced Patil’s contact information.
When the PMO reached out to Patil, he was initially in a state of shock about the attention his story had garnered. During the broadcast, his recorded video call with the fraudster was played, highlighting the importance of vigilance in the face of digital threats.
Following the episode, Patil expressed his gratitude to Sajjanar for acting as a communication bridge, allowing his story to serve as a warning to others. “I never expected this to happen. I hope my experience helps others recognize and avoid such scams,” Patil stated.
The episode emphasizes the growing need for public awareness about cyber crimes and the importance of swift action in combating fraud in an increasingly digital world.
