Recent incident of Mr. SP Oswal, chairman and managing director of the textile manufacturer, was put under “digital arrest” on August 28 and 29 and made to transfer 7 crore into multiple accounts have raised the serious concerns about the security of common people from these sophisticated criminals.
Alarmingly, cybercriminals have found ways to detain innocent individuals by restricting their digital lives, locking people out of their online accounts, freezing financial transactions, or stealing their identities. These forms of digital arrests can be devastating, as victims suddenly find themselves trapped in a world where their personal and professional digital identities are compromised.
A recent event involving some digital arrest modus operandi highlights the increasing sophistication of cyber-criminals. In this case, cyber-criminals used AI to extort money by posing as law enforcement officials. They contacted victims through VoIP or messaging apps or IVR calls claiming that the victims were involved in serious crimes like money laundering or drug trafficking. The criminals then coerced the victims into transferring funds to foreign accounts by threatening them with fake arrests or abductions.
These kind of events impacting the victim in different ways like –
- Personal and Financial Devastation Victims of digital arrest often face severe financial losses. they might steal identities, draining savings and ruining credit scores. The financial toll can be long-lasting, affecting not only the individual but their entire family.
- Psychological Impact Being locked out of one’s personal accounts or having one’s identity stolen creates immense stress, fear, and anxiety. Victims may feel violated and powerless, leading to feelings of vulnerability and helplessness. The process of restoring stolen digital identities can be long and emotionally taxing.
- Reputational Damage Digital arrests can also lead to reputational harm. When a person’s social media accounts are hacked, cybercriminals can use those accounts to post harmful content or engage in fraudulent activities in the victim’s name. This can destroy personal and professional relationships, especially if the victim is unaware that their accounts are being misused.
- Business and Professional Risks Many professionals rely heavily on their digital presence to connect with clients, grow their businesses, or advance their careers. Cybercriminals who hijack digital platforms can cause significant damage to an individual’s business or professional standing.
Safeguards Against Digital Arrest by Cybercriminals
- Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication. One of the most effective safeguards against cybercriminal digital arrests is using strong, unique passwords and enabling multi-factor authentication, this adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to verify their identity through additional means, such as a fingerprint or code sent to their phone.
- Awareness and Education Individuals need to be aware of the tactics cybercriminals use, such as phishing emails or suspicious links, which are often the gateways to digital arrests. Education on identifying suspicious online behavior and scams can help prevent individuals from falling victim to cybercriminals.
- Backup of Critical Data Regularly backing up personal data to secure external drives or cloud services is essential in mitigating the damage of a digital arrest.
- Legal and Professional Assistance In severe cases, victims should seek legal assistance to recover lost assets and restore their digital identity. Professional cybersecurity services can also be enlisted to remove malware, secure accounts, and prevent future breaches.
The most effective way to fight this kind of cybercrime is the awareness, they might try to get you different ways but be firm, do not fear, report all fake photos and videos to the concern authorities, take your family in confidence. By this only we can safeguard ourselves against these modern age terrorists.
*image courtesy – DOT X handle