Scammers Claiming Your Family Member Has Been Arrested? Here’s What to Do

Imagine your phone rings in the middle of the night, and a serious voice on the other end says, “Your family member has been arrested. It’s urgent.” As you try to process the situation, panic starts to set in. Another call follows, and this time, they demand money to settle the case. Perplexed and scared, you rush to make the payment only to realise it is a scam. But by then, it’s too late.

Sounds scary, right? Many people in India have faced similar or even worse situations. Cases like these are rising, with scammers stealing lakhs of rupees by pretending to be police officers. But not anymore! Through #ScamKaSiren, our fraud awareness campaign, we at Kotak811 are out on a mission– to help you understand how these scams happen and how you can stay safe. Keep reading to learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones.

How This Scam Happens

Scammers create a feeling of panic, pressurising victims to make hasty decisions. They pose as government officials and claim they have arrested your family member, demanding immediate payments to settle the matter. The scammers use social media platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram and phone calls to make the scam look more convincing.

The worst part? Most victims stay silent about the fraud because they feel scared (or maybe embarrassed!). The authorities have made it official that no police officer will ever demand an online payment.

How to Identify Fake Calls From Scammers

Scammers make sure their calls look realistic. However, there are certain loopholes:

• Never rush to make any payments if somebody claims to be from the police, as police never ask for immediate online payments.
• Any legal authority will never request money through UPI, gift cards, or crypto transactions.
• A significant loophole of a fraudulent call is that the scammers who pretend to be officers never disclose any official verification credentials.
• Official telephone calls will always come from registered government numbers.
• All legal arrests take place through proper documentation and legal procedures; no arrest happens over a phone call.

What to Do If You Become a Victim

If you ever find yourself in a situation like this, take these actions:

• Do Not Engage: The first action is to cut off contact with the fraudster and make no payments at any time.
• Contact Your Bank: If you have already sent money, report the transaction to the bank. Assistance from financial institutions might help to recover the funds or initiate a transaction trace for hacking purposes.
• Lock Your Aadhaar: Activating the lock for your Aadhaar biometrics won't let fraudsters access any of your personal information.
• Gather Evidence: Every interaction with a potential scammer (suspicious person) should be recorded. Save messages, take screenshots and record calls. The stored information will aid the police during investigations.
• Monitor Your Bank Account: Regularly check your bank accounts to guarantee additional fraudulent activities do not take place.

Where to Report Such Scams

• Contact Cyber Crime Helpline by dialing 1930 for immediate assistance.
• File a cybercrime report on:
  • National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
  • Sanchar Saathi – Report Fraud
  • The Serious Fraud Investigation Office
• Submit a Complaint on Chakshu.
• State-wise Nodal Officers List: Find Contacts Here
• Contact your bank if you made a payment, as you should notify them right away.

Summing Up

Scammers prey on fear and urgency because these emotions provide them an opportunity to manipulate victims into giving away their money. They create a realistic impression that pushes victims to act immediately. The best way to stay safe is to be informed. Remember, any law enforcement agency operating in this country will never request monetary payment through a phone call.

If you ever get a call like this, pause, think and verify. Spread this information to protect your family members and close friends. Awareness is your best defence. Stay alert, stay safe!

FAQs

Q1) What to do if a family member is being scammed?

If you or your family member is encountering scam calls, block the scammer's email address. If they are reaching out on social media, 'unfriend' them. Additionally, inform your family about common scam tactics to prevent future occurrences.

Q2) How do scammers find personal information?

Scammers gather personal details using various methods, including social media profiles, hacked databases, fake emails or websites that trick users into revealing personal data, and more. Often, scammers manipulate caller IDs to appear as trusted contacts or authorities.

If  you have been scammed online, immediately contact your bank, report the scam to the authorities like the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in/)and document everything related to the scam. 

This Article is for information purpose only. The views expressed in this Article do not necessarily constitute the views of Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (“Bank”) or its employees. The Bank makes no warranty of any kind with respect to the completeness or accuracy of the material and articles contained in this Article. The information contained in this Article is sourced from empaneled external experts for the benefit of the customers and it does not constitute legal advice from the Bank. The Bank, its directors, employees and the contributors shall not be responsible or liable for any damage or loss resulting from or arising due to reliance on or use of any information contained herein.