After digital arrest, fraud cases are continuously increasing in the country. Aaj Tak’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) is continuously investigating this matter. During the investigation, the Internet Protocol Detailed Record (IDPR) revealed that the links of this fraud are connected to foreign countries. This network is managed from Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. Fraudulent money is withdrawn from Cambodia and Dubai.
Private companies that do this type of work hire Indian employees. Many Indians are lured with foreign job offers and then become digital slaves. Let us tell you that many agencies are working to trace the network behind digital arrests.
The truth revealed in a covert operation
Let us tell you that in view of the increasing cases of digital arrests, the India Today Special Investigation Team had carried out a sting operation. The investigation was launched when a courier company contacted an India Today journalist and claimed that a parcel bearing his name was stuck in Mumbai. According to the claim, in a phone call, the scammer, who claimed to be a DHL employee, said that the package was sent from Mumbai to Beijing and could not be delivered.
“Customs has confiscated the package”
The scammer also told the journalist his identity, his name, ID and the phone number he allegedly used to send the package. The scammer, who claimed to be a DHL employee, told them that Mumbai Customs had confiscated the package. The person who falsely called DHL also told the journalist what was in the package and said it contained five credit cards, seven passports, 3.5 kg of clothes, 400 grams of MDMA and some substances considered illegal in India. The caller later told the journalist that a complaint would have to be lodged for this, and after this a call was also made to a suspected Mumbai Police officer on WhatsApp.
Threat of dire consequences
In the call, the fake officer questioned the journalist about the package, expressing concern about drug smuggling. The fake police officer threatened the journalist with dire consequences and told him: “If even 10 grams are found, you will be sentenced to between 3 and 7 years and your package contains 400 grams of the substance.” Surprised, the journalist responded that it had nothing to do with the package.
The fake officer continued threatening
However, the fake official stated that the situation could worsen if a body was found attached to the package. The fake police officer said in a threatening tone: ‘What will happen if any weapon or body is recovered in your name in the next hour? Will you continue sitting like this in your office? Won’t this become a big problem for you?
Fake officer called himself IPS
The officer’s intimidation tactics reached new heights when he insisted on recording a video statement and asked for sensitive personal information, including Aadhaar. Claiming to be an IPS officer with 27 years of experience, the fake cop accused the reporter of being involved in a money laundering case involving a businessman under investigation for fraud of over Rs 536 million. The officer alleged that a Canara Bank account in the reporter’s name was linked to this illegal activity, further entangling him in the fraud web.
Emergency order filed
During the conversation, the journalist was shown false documents, which were presented as national secrets. The fake officer also ordered him to remain silent about the matter and refrain from discussing it with anyone else. As the conversation progressed, the fraudster demanded that the journalist undergo a “purity test” and introduced another alleged official who produced an Enforcement Directorate (ED) warrant, which also carried the journalist’s photograph.
