Skype Implements Live Warnings to Combat Digital Arrest Scams in India.
In a proactive move to combat the rising cases of digital arrest scams in the country, the popular video-calling application Skype has informed the Government of India that it has implemented live warnings on its platform for users.
These warnings, implemented at the government’s request, are designed to alert users about the threat of impersonation by law enforcement agencies.
One of the key warnings that users may encounter states, “Indian legal authorities will NEVER contact you on Skype.” This message aims to educate the public and dissuade them from falling victim to such scams, where criminals pose as police officers or government officials to extort money from unsuspecting individuals.
According to a senior government official, the live warnings will be triggered by the detection of certain keywords, and they will also advise users to report any suspicious messages they receive.
The government’s crackdown on these fraudulent activities has also led to the disabling of major fake police handles impersonating agencies like the Narcotics Control Bureau, CBI, and Enforcement Directorate.
However, the official noted that this step may not be enough, as cyber fraudsters can easily create new accounts to continue their nefarious activities.
“We have provided a list of various accounts used to scam Indians. The list contains over 100 such accounts. The major accounts have been disabled, and legal action has already been initiated against them.
We have requested the company to provide details of the mobile numbers associated with these accounts,” another official familiar with the development told News18.
PM Narendra Modi has also expressed serious concerns over the recent cases of digital arrest scams and has cautioned citizens about the increasing number of such incidents. The Prime Minister has assured the public that no law enforcement agency would contact them to extort money.
The implementation of live warnings on Skype and the ongoing efforts by the government to crack down on these fraudulent activities underscore the growing threat of digital arrest scams in India.
As the nation continues to grapple with this issue, the collaboration between technology platforms and the government aims to empower and protect citizens from falling prey to these sophisticated scams.
