NEW DELHI: Anti-cyber fraud agency Indian Cyber Coordination Centre (I4C) has, in collaboration with Microsoft, blocked over 1,000
Skype
accounts linked to intimidation, blackmail, extortion and 'digital arrests' of citizens by
cyber criminals
posing as personnel of the police, CBI, narcotics department,
RBI
or ED etc.
I4C is also facilitating blocking of SIM cards, mobile devices and mule accounts used by such
fraudsters
, MHA said on Tuesday.
A large number of complaints are being reported on National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), detailing how these fraudsters typically call a potential victim and inform that the victim has sent or is the intended recipient of a parcel containing illegal goods, drugs, fake passports or any other contraband item. Sometimes, they also pose that a near or dear one of the victim has been found to be involved in a crime or an accident and is in their custody. A demand for money is made to compromise the "case".
In certain instances, the victims are made to undergo '
digital arrest
' , till their demands are met.
Across the country, several victims have lost large amounts of money to such criminals. This is an organised online
economic crime
and is learnt to be operated by
cross-border crime syndicates
, the home ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
I4C, which reports to MHA, coordinates activities related to combating cybercrime in the country. MHA on Tuesday said it is closely working with other ministries and their agencies, RBI and other organisations to counter these frauds. I4C is also providing inputs and technical support to the
police authorities
in all the states and Union Territories, for identifying and investigating the cases.
"Citizens are advised to be alert and spread awareness about these types of frauds. On receipt of such calls, the citizens should immediately report the incident on cybercrime helpline number '1930' or www.cybercrime.gov.in for assistance," the home ministry said on Tuesday.
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