PM Modi Urges Vigilance Against 'Digital Arrest' and Online Fraud in 131st 'Mann Ki Baat'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 131st 'Mann Ki Baat' address on Sunday, February 22, 2026, issued a stern warning to the citizens of India regarding the escalating threat of 'digital arrest' and other forms of online fraud. The Prime Minister underscored the importance of public vigilance and adherence to secure digital practices to safeguard against sophisticated cybercriminal tactics.

Understanding 'Digital Arrest' and Prevalent Scams

PM Modi specifically highlighted the 'digital arrest' scam, clarifying that 'there is no system like digital arrest in the law, this is just fraud, deceit, lie, a gang of criminals and those who are doing this are enemies of the society'. In this deceptive scheme, fraudsters impersonate officials from various law enforcement agencies such as the Police, CBI, Narcotics Department, or even the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). They contact unsuspecting individuals via phone or video calls, threatening them with arrest or legal repercussions for fabricated offenses like identity theft or money laundering. The primary goal is to instill fear and coerce victims into transferring significant sums of money.

Beyond 'digital arrest', India faces a wide array of online frauds. Common types include:

• Phishing attacks: Deceptive emails, texts, or websites designed to steal sensitive information like passwords and bank details.
• Imposter scams: Fraudsters posing as trusted entities or individuals to gain trust or scare victims into sharing personal information or money.
• Tech support scams: Impersonating tech support to gain remote access to computers or demand payment for fictitious services.
• Investment scams: Luring victims with promises of high returns on fake investments.
• Lottery and prize scams: Tricking individuals into believing they've won a prize, then demanding upfront fees or personal details.
• Job opportunity scams: Offering fake job opportunities to extract money or personal information.
• UPI-related frauds: Using fake QR codes or payment requests to trick users into authorizing transactions.
• Voice cloning scams: Employing Artificial Intelligence to mimic voices of friends or relatives to solicit money.

These fraudulent activities have a significant impact, with India holding the 10th position in the World Cybercrime Index and reporting 1.1 million cybercrime cases in 2023, resulting in substantial financial and emotional distress.

PM Modi's Call for Vigilance and Prevention

The Prime Minister urged citizens to adopt a three-step approach for digital security: 'Stop - Think - Take Action'. He advised people to remain calm and avoid panicking when confronted with suspicious calls or messages. Crucially, he stressed that genuine investigative agencies 'never contact you by phone or video call for enquiries'.

Key preventive measures highlighted by PM Modi include:

• Do not share personal information: Avoid giving out OTPs, Aadhaar numbers, or bank account details to unknown callers or through suspicious links.
• Official channels for KYC: Conduct KYC (Know Your Customer) or re-KYC processes only through official bank branches, authorized apps, or verified mediums.
• Regular password changes: Change passwords frequently for all online accounts, especially for banking, email, and social media.
• Caution with unsolicited messages: Be wary of unexpected calls, SMS, and links, as criminals often use these to initiate scams.

Government's Response and Public Resources

The Indian government has implemented several initiatives to combat cybercrime and support victims. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has been established to provide a framework for law enforcement agencies. Citizens can report cybercrime incidents through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or by calling the national cyber helpline at 1930.

Furthermore, the government is actively working with various stakeholders, including banks and police, through platforms like the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) to curb cyber frauds. Awareness campaigns, such as 'Scam se Bacho' launched in collaboration with Meta, are also underway to educate the public on staying safe from online scams. PM Modi encouraged schools and colleges to involve students in campaigns against cyber scams, fostering a more vigilant and informed community.