Government Forms Inter-Departmental Committee to Combat Rising 'Digital Arrest' Scams
To address the growing menace of 'digital arrests,' where scammers impersonate law enforcement to extort money, the Union government has formed a high-level Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC). Chaired by the Special Secretary (Internal Security) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the committee includes representatives from the RBI, DoT, MeitY, and major tech platforms like Google and WhatsApp. The IDC aims to identify legislative gaps, suggest corrective measures, and guide enforcement agencies in real-time. This move follows Supreme Court directions to clear the 'bane' affecting a large population, particularly the elderly and vulnerable who have lost crores to these scams.
Key Points
- Digital arrest scams involve fraudulent calls claiming the victim is under investigation for illegal activities to extort money.
- The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) plays a central role in the new committee.
- The IDC will coordinate between multiple ministries and financial institutions to block fraudulent transactions.
- The Attorney-General will attend IDC meetings to provide legal guidance on combating these scams.
Exam Facts
- Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)
- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
- Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) formed on December 26
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