Hubballi–Dharwad Police have issued a strong warning against the rising menace of so‑called “Digital Arrests,” a cybercrime tactic where fraudsters impersonate officials from RBI, police, or government agencies to extort money or steal personal information.
“Digital arrest is not real. No one can be detained online through a video call or message,” the police clarified in their awareness tweet. The scam typically involves fake audio or video calls where victims are threatened with legal action unless they transfer funds or share sensitive details.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India reported over 65,000 cybercrime cases in 2024, with financial fraud accounting for nearly 70% of incidents. Karnataka alone registered more than 4,500 cyber fraud complaints, highlighting the scale of the problem.
“ಡಿಜಿಟಲ್ ಅರೆಸ್ಟ್"❓ ಯಾರನ್ನಾದರೂ ನಿಜವಾಗಿಯೂ ಆನ್ಲೈನ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಬಂಧಿಸಬಹುದೇ?
🚫 ಇಲ್ಲ. "ಡಿಜಿಟಲ್ ಅರೆಸ್ಟ್" ಒಂದು ಸೈಬರ್ ಅಪರಾಧವಾಗಿದೆ. ಸ್ಕ್ಯಾಮರ್ಗಳು ಆರ್ಬಿಐ, ಪೊಲೀಸ್ ಅಥವಾ ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗಳ ಹೆಸರುಗಳನ್ನು ಬಳಸಿ ಜನರನ್ನು ಹೆದರಿಸಿ ಹಣ ಪಡೆಯಲು ಅಥವಾ ವೈಯಕ್ತಿಕ ವಿವರಗಳನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯಲು ದುರುಪಯೋಗಪಡಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾರೆ.
— HUBBALLI DHARWAD CITY POLICE (@compolhdc) May 15, 2026
Police officials stressed the importance of vigilance. “Always verify the identity of the caller. Do not share financial or personal information over phone or video calls,” said a senior officer. Victims are urged to immediately contact their banks and report suspicious activity.
The Hubballi Dharwad Police emphasized that awareness is the best defense. Citizens can report cybercrime by dialing 1930 or visiting the official portal at cybercrime.gov.in.
Community members welcomed the initiative, noting that scams often target vulnerable individuals, including senior citizens and students. By spreading awareness, authorities hope to reduce the impact of these fraudulent schemes.
As cybercriminals evolve their tactics, officials reiterated that staying informed and cautious is the only way to remain safe. “Information is protection. Stay alert, stay secure,” the police message concluded.
