Bhubaneswar, July 3: The Commissionerate Police of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack has issued a public advisory warning citizens against the growing menace of “Digital Arrest” cyber fraud after several intellectuals and professionals from different organisations and government departments reportedly fell victim to the scam.

According to the advisory, cyber fraudsters are impersonating senior officials from agencies such as the Police, CBI, ED, Customs, TRAI and FedEx to intimidate unsuspecting victims. The scammers falsely claim that parcels booked in the victim’s name contain narcotics, fake passports, illegal currency or weapons. In other cases, they allege misuse of Aadhaar, SIM cards, bank accounts or involvement in money laundering and financial fraud.

The fraudsters also circulate forged FIRs, arrest warrants, court notices and account-freezing orders to create panic. Victims are forced to stay on continuous video calls, prevented from contacting family members and pressured into transferring money to fake “Government Reserve” or “Verification” accounts.

The Commissionerate Police clarified that there is no legal concept of “Digital Arrest” in India. No police or investigating agency conducts arrests through video calls or asks citizens to transfer money during investigations.

People have been advised to disconnect suspicious calls immediately, never share OTPs, PINs or banking credentials, avoid transferring money on verbal instructions, and consult family members or contact the cyber helpline if they receive such calls.

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