Bhubaneswar, July 3: The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police has issued a public advisory warning citizens against the growing menace of "digital arrest" scams, clarifying that there is no legal provision for such a practice.
In the advisory, the police said fraudsters often impersonate officials from the Police, CBI, Enforcement Directorate (ED), or other law enforcement agencies and threaten people with a so-called "digital arrest" through video calls. Citizens have been urged to remain alert and not fall prey to such intimidation tactics.
The Commissionerate Police clarified that no law enforcement agency, including the Police, CBI, ED, or Crime Branch, ever arrests individuals through video calls or messages. It also stated that investigating agencies never ask people to remain connected on platforms such as Skype, Zoom, WhatsApp, or any other suspicious application as part of an investigation.
People have been advised to disconnect such calls immediately if they receive any suspicious or threatening communication. The police also cautioned the public against transferring money, prematurely withdrawing Fixed Deposits (FDs), Public Provident Fund (PPF) savings, or any other investments at the behest of unknown callers.
The advisory further urged citizens never to share confidential banking details such as OTPs, PINs, passwords, or account information with anyone.
In case of any such cyber fraud or attempted scam, the Commissionerate Police has appealed to the public to report the incident immediately by calling the National Cyber Crime Helpline at **1930**.
