NPCI warns as fake cops run digital arrest scam
India’s payment infrastructure authority cautioned the public on Tuesday about confidence schemes where criminals pose as government officials to extract personal information or funds through intimidation tactics. The National Payments Corporation of India said citizens should contact the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 or file reports through the Department of Telecommunications’ online portal when encountering suspicious activity.
Scammers typically begin contact through phone conversations before moving to video platforms while pretending to represent police departments, federal investigative agencies, tax authorities, or customs officials. Perpetrators employ threatening language and may display fabricated credentials, uniforms, or office settings to appear authentic. Some operations extend to constructing fake police stations designed to convince targets of their legitimacy. Victims frequently face pressure to send funds under pretenses of clearing their names, assisting the investigation, or providing refundable security payments.
The organization stressed that legitimate government bodies never request money transfers or conduct official inquiries through telephone or video communications. Officials recommended verifying any unexpected legal claims and consulting reliable sources before responding to demands. Citizens should preserve evidence by saving messages and capturing screenshots of suspicious exchanges.
