If someone on a call claims to have placed you under “digital arrest” and demands money to clear your name, disconnect. Do not pay, share an OTP or stay on video because the caller orders you to.
In India, report the incident through the national cybercrime helpline, 1930, or the official cybercrime reporting portal. If money has moved, contact your bank through its official app, website or a known customer-service number immediately as well.
You do not need to finish the caller's supposed investigation first.
The uniform on screen isn't proof
The Ministry of Home Affairs' warning describes criminals impersonating police, the CBI and other authorities. Some use rooms made to resemble official offices. Others begin with an allegation about a parcel or a family member, then demand money to settle the invented case.
The warning directs people receiving these calls to 1930 or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. A caller's confident voice, official-looking backdrop or knowledge of your name does not independently verify their identity.
This guide concerns that impersonation scam. It does not mean every legitimate contact from a public authority arrives in the same way, or that a real legal notice should be ignored. Verify a questionable claim separately through a contact you obtain yourself, not a number or link supplied by the threatening caller.
Break the conversation before investigating it
A useful response plan is short:
- End the call. Do not stay connected to prove your innocence or gather more material.
- Stop transfers and sharing. Do not provide passwords, PINs, OTPs or remote access to your device.
- Use trusted contact routes. Open your bank's known app or official website yourself. Don't follow the caller's payment or support link.
- Report promptly. Use 1930 and the official reporting process, retaining any acknowledgement or complaint number.
IDFC FIRST Bank's fraud explainer also advises disconnecting and contacting the bank. This is general response guidance, not a guarantee of a particular bank action or recovery outcome.
If you've already transferred money
Tell the bank and reporting service what happened, when it happened and which transactions were involved. Keep available payment references, messages, screenshots and the caller's displayed number. Don't delete the evidence in embarrassment, and don't put it on a public social feed with your personal details visible.
The official cybercrime restoration portal also points victims of financial cybercrime to 1930 and the reporting portal. Follow the instructions provided for your case. A report starts a process; it does not promise that money will be returned.
If you installed software or exposed credentials, tell your bank exactly what was shared and ask about securing the affected accounts. Avoid using a potentially compromised device for sensitive recovery steps until you have appropriate help.
Make it easier for someone to tell you
Our advice for families: agree in advance that anyone can interrupt a worrying call and ask for help without being mocked. If a relative says they paid, start with the next action, not a lecture.
Write down the reporting number somewhere easy to find. You cannot predict the caller's script. You can decide, ahead of time, that fear and secrecy will not set the pace of your response.
Reader Discussion