Digital arrests and extortion of huge sums of money by intimidating and threatening the victim is the new form of fraud in cyberspace. Thousands of people across the country have already lost money in this way. In the backdrop of mounting frauds and the volume of money lost growing endlessly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has stressed the need for people to become aware of such frauds. He said that there is no such punishment as 'Digital Arrest' under the Indian legal system. The Prime Minister reminded that no investigating agency would extort money by threatening people in such a manner and in case of a threat, the cyber helpline 1930, which investigates cyber frauds, should be informed and then the information should be passed on to the cyber police department of the respective state.

Though it is too late, it is a matter of great good fortune that the Prime Minister himself has come forward to unambiguously clarify the new fraud in the cyber world and that no investigating agency adopts such a method. There should be immediate interventions when people are struggling in situations like these. Frauds can be prevented in the bud itself if security measures are taken in a timely manner. News is coming in day by day that even those who have a lot of knowledge, education and sufficient understanding and experience in the diversity of the digital sector are ensnared in the trap of cyber fraudsters and are giving up all their savings.

Everyone should listen to the Prime Minister's advice that three things need to be done without panic if the fraud threat arrives over the phone. These are 'Wait, Think, and Take Action'. Individuals should not share their personal information with anyone else for any reason. Banks, other responsible and phone companies often send messages to users reminding them of this. Despite all this, many people continue to fall prey to such frauds. Don't ever forget that cyber fraudsters are targetting those who are not careful and vigilant. Even if frauds take place, the lost money can be recovered if the information can be communicated to the cyber department immediately. The phone numbers used for the fraud and the accounts associated with it can be frozen. Lakhs of such accounts have been frozen nationwide.

Although there are ways to prevent frauds to some extent, it is wise to show prudence not to fall into them even unknowingly. However, many people knowingly walk into frauds out of greed or the desire to make easy money. In Thiruvananthapuram, a woman doctor's Rs 84 lakh was swindled by cyber fraudsters by showing the profit figures in the stock market. Not in one go, but several times the fraudsters cheated the doctor and robbed her of her entire bank balance. It has been found that a cyber fraud gang not from India but from Cambodia is behind this. It is assessed that men do not fall into such traps much as awareness has intensified. Therefore, fraudsters are now targeting women instead. Awareness is needed for them now.