Mumbai Police sets up 24/7 helplines, amid surge in 'digital arrest' cases

Mumbai Police has introduced two round-the-clock helplines to assist victims of increasingly prevalent 'digital arrest' scams. The dedicated numbers, 7715004444 and 7400086666, were launched on Wednesday as cases have risen alarmingly over the past two years.

In these scams, fraudsters impersonate officials from law enforcement agencies like the CBI, police, and the Enforcement Directorate, claiming the victim's personal information has been linked to illegal activities. Victims are told they are under "digital arrest" and must remain on the call while transferring money under duress to certain accounts.

Many fall for the trap, fearing legal action. Mumbai Police urge citizens to immediately report such suspicious calls. In emergencies, teams can be dispatched to the victim's location, for help.