Process to get money back after ‘digital arrest’ can be grinding
Times of India | 8 February 2025
Victims of digital arrest fraud face a lengthy process to recover their money. Immediate reporting to the cybercrime portal is crucial for freezing accounts. KOLKATA: If you lose money in digital arrest fraud, brace yourself for a long-drawn process to recover the lost amount. After receiving several digital arrest fraud complaints over the last few months, cops have advised the victims to conserve every evidence to increase the chances of recovery, which, in any case, involves a series of steps that they need to take.Delhi Election 2025Delhi election results: AAP, BJP, Congress face off in a high-stake contestDelhi polls: High-profile battle in New Delhi constituencyKalkaji: All eyes on high-stakes showdown between Atishi, Bidhuri and Alka Lamba
“While such monetary losses involve tremendous mental agony, following the chain is important for victims to increase the chances of recovery,” warned a senior cyber cell officer at Lalbazar.
The first 24 hours are crucial for successful fund recovery, according to investigators and legal experts. The Union home ministry’s cybercrime reporting portal serves as the first line of defence, triggering account freezes when complaints are filed. “Do not log in with any other name. Please register the victim’s name. This document will be crucial when banks begin to release your money,” said an officer.
It is essential to get a copy of the FIR as soon as possible because you will need that document to file a case of fraud in court, which is the next step in the process of getting back the money.
DelhiSeats: 70L + WMajority: 36AAP0BJP0CONG0OTH0Leads + Wins: 0/70 Source: PValueThe ministry has established a dedicated helpline (1930) for cybercrime reporting and is in the process of strengthening coordination between state police departments and banks to expedite fund recovery. However, even with a court order, full recovery isn’t guaranteed. The cyber fraudsters use multiple mule accounts and convert money into cryptocurrency.
Recent data from the home ministry indicates that investigation agencies are identifying approximately 4,000 mule accounts daily used for illegal fund transfers. The scale of the problem is substantial, with authorities freezing 4.5 lakh bank accounts in the past year due to involvement in cybercrime.
A recent case highlighted these challenges when a victim lost Rs 66 lakh through a digital arrest scam. Within 48 hours, the money was moved through 43 transactions across nine different banks, including payments through digital platforms.
“If multiple victims file complaints against the same account, the first person to obtain a court order has the best chance of recovery,” said an officer, adding, “Others might receive nothing if the frozen funds have been exhausted.” However, experts warn that the nature of these crimes, combined with jurisdictional challenges and the rapid movement of funds, continues to make full recovery a challenge for victims.
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