Introduction

"Hello, I am calling on behalf of the cybercrime department. You are digitally under arrest. There is some suspicious work found on your device. You need to transfer one lakh rupees to cleanse yourself of the case otherwise you will be imprisoned." or "Congratulations, you have won a jackpot worth 1 crore rupees. To claim your jackpot, you have to send 1 lakh rupees as the transaction fees into this account." I am sure that you must have received or heard of such calls, emails, or messages. The quick development of technology and usage of the internet has greatly changed our way of living, working, and communicating. Technology and the internet have increased efficiency in our lives, making it simpler and more convenient. But there is another side of the coin too which should be dealt with. The increasing adoption of digital technologies has also provided new opportunities for cybercriminals and scammers to scam people. Scams in the digital space have become a rising concern, with millions of individuals being victims of such scams annually. This has also threatened the safety and security of individuals significantly. In this article, we will be talking about the different types of digital scams, how to detect them, and how to stay safe from any type of digital scam.

Types of Digital Scams

Digital scams can come in many different forms, such as:

• Phishing scams : Scammers send fraudulent emails or messages pretending to come from a legitimate sender, like a bank or an online store, with a view to convincing victims to disclose sensitive details, like passwords or credit card numbers.
  
  
• Smishing : Illegal sending of text messages claiming to be from reputable firms to convince individuals to share personal information such as passwords or credit card numbers.
  
  
• Vishing : The scam of phoning or sending voice messages pretending to be well-established organizations to persuade people to provide private details like bank accounts and credit card numbers.
  
  
• Online auction fraud: The use of counterfeit online auction pages or placing bids for no real intent of purchase.
  
  
• Investment scams: Scammers offer very high returns on investments, usually under time pressure, to try to get victims to invest in a scam.
  
  
• Romance scams : Scammers set up false online profiles and establish relationships with victims, usually to request money or obtain personal details.
  
  
• Malware scams : Scammers deploy malware to obtain unauthorized access to victims' computers or to steal sensitive data.
  
  
• SIM swap : Also referred to as SIM splitting, SIM jacking, or SIM hijacking, this is a method whereby fraudsters manage to take control of one's phone number. With a user's phone number, attackers can utilize two-factor authentication to hack bank accounts, social media accounts, and so forth.
  
  
• Digital Arrest : It is the newest form of scam. It is an online scam where scammers pose as law enforcers to manipulate individuals to send them money or reveal personal data. The scammers can state that they have an electronic arrest warrant or that the victim is under investigation for an offense. For instance, the scammers might conduct a video call or voice call, posing as police or cyber crime officers, and convince people to send money by creating a false illegal case against the victim. The most common reasons for arrest provided by them are the discovery of drugs in the victim's parcel, discovering suspicious sexual activities on the victim's device, or informing that the victim's family member is in their custody. They are always dressed in the uniform of a police officer and the background is made to appear as if it's a police station or a cybercrime agency.

How to Identify Digital Scams

To protect yourself and prevent falling victim to digital scams, it's vital to know how to identify them. Some typical signs of a digital scam are:

• Urgency : Scammers tend to create a sense of urgency to push the victims to make hasty decisions without giving them any time to think.
  
  
• Poor grammar and spelling : Scammers might not use good grammar and spelling always, and that can be used to identify them. Not only messages or emails but websites can also have misspelled URLs.
  
  
• Unusual requests : The fraudsters will demand personal data, money, or other special favors that do not seem quite normal or are even suspicious.
  
  
• Bogus websites and emails : Bogus websites or emails that mimic an authentic source might be sent by fraudsters. Suspicious links may also be found in emails or messages.
  
  
• Too good to be true : They might say that you have won enormous prizes without any valid entry. If you get such' too good to be true ' offers, most often it is a scam.

Staying Safe from Digital Scams

To remain safe from digital scams, use these best practices:

• Do not click on links or open attachments from unknown people.
• Always check an email address and its URL to ensure that they are not fake.
• Use strong passwords for your accounts, and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible, so that you can protect your account from scammers.
• Keep your software and version of the operating system updated regularly to get the latest security patches.
• Check your accounts as well as your credit reports regularly to identify any possibly illegal transactions.
• Keep your anti-virus program updated to protect your device from malicious software.
• Back up your important files regularly to avoid any potential scams or cyber-attacks.
• If you are a victim of any cybercrime or online fraud, ensure you report the case to your nearest police or report it to the cybercrime police. Complaints of socio-economic fraud cybercrime can be reported over the phone in 1930 or through the I4C Indian Cybercrime Coordination Center website online. You may also reach the national police by dialing 112.

Conclusion

Digital scams and cyber-attacks are an emerging threat in today’s digital era and it's essential to be aware of such scams and protect yourself. By identifying the signs of digital scams as described above and following ways to stay safe, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to these scams. Remember, it's always better to be cautious and vigilant about such scams and protect your digital assets and identity than regret them afterward.

.    .    .