The 14th edition of the Delhi Literature Festival hosted a crucial awareness session on cybercrime, specifically addressing the surge in ‘digital arrest’ scams and financial frauds in India. Nishant Kumar, Director of the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), explained how fraudsters impersonate law enforcement to trick victims into transferring money. He emphasized that no legitimate police officer demands money over calls or messages.
Kumar detailed that these scams often target educated individuals and senior professionals by exploiting their fear of legal repercussions and reputational damage. Cybercriminals create a sense of urgency, threatening immediate arrest or account freezing to override rational thinking. This tactic capitalizes on the rapid digitalization of India, a success of the Prime Minister’s Digital India vision, but one where public awareness has not always kept pace.
“Digital India is a matter of pride for us. But with rapid digitalisation, understanding must grow equally fast. Wherever there is a gap in awareness, cybercrime finds space,” he stated.
To combat this growing threat, the Government of India established the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) in 2019 under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Kumar highlighted that cybercrime transcends state and national borders, necessitating coordination among states and collaboration with sectors like banking, fintech, and telecommunications.
“I4C was created to build that coordination and shared understanding. Cybercrime cannot be tackled in isolation; it demands collective institutional effort,” he explained.
Kumar elaborated on the modus operandi of ‘digital arrest’ scams, where fraudsters falsely claim individuals are under investigation or have been ‘digitally arrested’. Victims are then pressured to send money for alleged legal verification, case settlement, or account clearance. He unequivocally stated that legitimate police officers do not conduct interrogations or demand financial settlements through phone calls or messages.
“If someone claims over a call that you are under digital arrest or asks for money to settle a case, understand clearly that it is fraud. No police agency operates in this manner,” he asserted.
The session also brought attention to I4C’s Cyber Dost initiative, an official cyber safety awareness program. Cyber Dost disseminates alerts, advisories, and educational videos across various platforms, including LinkedIn, to inform citizens about prevalent cyber threats such as phishing, financial fraud, and cyberbullying.
Participants were strongly advised to report any cybercrime incidents immediately. This can be done by dialing the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 or by filing a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, accessible at cybercrime.gov.in.
The Delhi Literature Festival’s initiative underscored the critical need for awareness and vigilance in an increasingly digital society. The session reinforced the message that technological advancement must be matched by informed citizenship, robust institutional coordination, and a shared sense of responsibility to ensure a secure digital future for everyone.
Kumar further explained that while policing is a state subject according to the constitution, cybercrime operates without regard for such boundaries. Offenders can be located in different states or even other countries while targeting victims elsewhere. This reality underscores the importance of effective response mechanisms that involve inter-state coordination and cross-sectoral collaboration.
“Fraudsters create a sense of urgency. They say act immediately or face arrest, or that your accounts will be frozen. This fear overrides rational thinking. That is exactly what they rely upon,” he observed.
The discussion at the Delhi Literature Festival served as a vital platform to highlight these pressing issues. It emphasized that the rapid progress of digitalization, while beneficial, has inadvertently created opportunities for cybercriminals. The gap between the pace of digital adoption and the growth of public awareness is a significant vulnerability that needs continuous attention and proactive measures. The I4C, through its various initiatives, aims to bridge this gap and empower citizens to navigate the digital world safely. The session concluded with a clear call to action for individuals to be informed and for institutions to work collaboratively to combat the evolving landscape of cyber threats.
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