Cybercriminals use AI to scam users: How to protect yourself from financial fraud

With the advancement in artificial intelligence (AI), cybercriminals have also changed their approach to defrauding people.

The imposters are using new methods such as “digital arrest”, or issuing kidnapping or arresting threats, especially to those whose children are studying abroad, as per a report in the Times of India.

Digital arrest refers to fraudsters impostering law enforcement officials to extort money through deception. During calls, scammers use AI tools to mimic the voice of the victim's children in the background or send photos of children tied up to convince victims that their kin are being held captive, the report said.

A retired Navy officer was duped of ₹68.49 lakh after he was subject to digital arrest by conmen posing as Mumbai Police personnel, the newspaper reported.

During the investigation, police found the involvement of Dubai-based cyber criminals.

Speaking on modus operandi, Madhya Pradesh cybercrime police said that the fraudsters contact the victim through phone calls and video calls, primarily using international number. They pose as law enforcement officials, and threaten the victim that a parcel with drugs was seized, in which their PAN and Aadhaar details were found.

The imposters ask for money from people as a court fee or bail charges. They also threaten the victim from sharing the details with anyone during the false arrest.

Digital arrest: How to protect yourself from financial fraud

The State Cyber Police headquarters, Madhya Pradesh, has issued an advisory on the digital arrest issue.

• Avoid calls, WhatsApp video calls, and Telegram calls from unknown numbers, especially those starting from +92 (Pakistan country code).
• There is no provision for digital arrest in the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
• Do not share your personal details regarding bank and Aadhaar with anyone.
• No agency asks you on call to deposit your money into a government account. Hence, never transfer money to unknown bank accounts.
• If you fall victim to cybercrime, file a police complaint or report it on www.cybercrime.gov.in or cyber crime helpline number 1930.