Digital Arrest Scam: what to know about the emerging fraud tactic and how to avoid it

One thing that scammers are very good at is their ability to develop new strategies to defraud people. Since they are aware that any strategy they employ will always have a way of falling apart as people will get to find out with time, they constantly create new strategies to sustain their fraudulent activities. A new tactic known as digital arrest, has emerged. This article discusses what it is, and what can be done to ensure people do not fall victim to it.

What is a digital arrest scam about?

The digital arrest scam involves fraudsters posing as officials from organisations including government and law enforcement agencies, and their strategy is to intimidate and defraud unsuspecting people. They normally do this over a video call in which they falsely accuse their victims or the relatives of their victims of being involved in criminal activities. These accusations are normally designed to put fear in the victims, who are then required to make financial commitments to these officials to stop them from pressing charges against them.

Strategies scammers use to facilitate digital arrest scams

One strategy these scammers use to facilitate their digital arrest scams is to inform victims that a loved one is in danger, such as being detained or hurt in an accident, and they do it in a manner that makes it almost believable.

Another strategy they use is to tell the victim that a loved one of theirs has been implicated in a criminal activity such as drug trafficking or possession of illegal items. They call their victims via video strategically to show their faces as credible officials so that any suspicion that they are trying to pull off a scam is erased.

When they have been able to convince their victims, the next thing they ask for is money so that they can release their loved ones and not press any further charges against them in case of accusations of criminality, or to take care of the medical bills of the people they claimed were involved in an accident.

For years, scammers have been using voice calls to perpetrate their actions, but they have now resorted to using technology, where they call their victims on video calls, which is why the new trend is termed digital arrest scam.

Use of technology in digital arrest scams

When anyone calls you on video and you see them in a uniform that shows they are from a security agency, you are likely not to think that a scam is being plotted. And when their background shows that they are calling you from a police station, a hospital, or a government ministry, the last thing you will think about is a scam plot. This is exactly what the scammers have in mind, thus, they leverage technology to create fake offices that are designed to mimic police stations or government offices.

They will also wear official-looking uniforms to appear legitimate and use platforms like Skype to create a convincing and interactive experience.

How to void digital arrest scam

Like any form of scam, vigilance is required to avoid this. To ensure you do not fall victim, the following measures can help:

1. Verify caller identity: It is important to always confirm the identity of individuals claiming to be from official agencies. When that doesn’t work, request to see your loved one whom they claim to have in their custody. The scammers’ hesitance to do this will be your first clue that it may be a scam.
2. Avoid immediate payments: Do not transfer money based on unsolicited calls or video requests from people you do not know.
3. Seek help from trusted people: When you receive any suspicious communications, try to contact local authorities to ascertain the authenticity of the information you receive before going ahead to do anything.

You need to thread cautiously in order not to fall victim to this scam. If you suspect anything, report it to law enforcement agencies.