‘1930 is your lifeline’: Zerodha’s Nithin Kamath exposes fraud that is fooling thousands of people in India

Nithin Kamath, founder of Zerodha, has issued an urgent warning about the rise of digital arrest scams in India. Preying on fear and urgency, these scams have become frighteningly realistic, tricking even the most vigilant people into parting with their money or sensitive information.

“You receive an unexpected call from a courier company,” Kamath explained in an X post. “The representative tells you that the police have confiscated a package of yours that contained drugs or illegal items. They even reveal personal details like your Aadhaar number. You will soon receive calls from people claiming to be the police, CBI or other authorities. “Most of us would probably fall for this because it preys on our fears.”

The scam usually starts with a suspicious call, SMS or social media message. Scammers pose as law enforcement officials and accuse victims of crimes such as money laundering or identity theft. Victims are then threatened with so-called “digital arrest” unless they comply with the scammers’ demands.

“Digital arrest” is not a legal term under Indian law; It is an invention of cybercriminals designed to create psychological pressure. Legitimate law enforcement officials do not demand payments, request personal information over the phone, or initiate legal proceedings over a call or video.

To help people avoid falling victim to these scams, watch out for these red flags:

• Suspicious communication: Scammers use unofficial phone numbers or email addresses while posing as officials.
• Pressure tactics: create a sense of urgency and panic, threatening immediate action.
• Confidentiality demands: Victims are often told to remain silent under the guise of “national security.”
• Monetary demands: Legitimate officials will never request money transfers or confidential details over the phone.
• If you suspect that you have been attacked, stay calm, inform someone you trust and file a report with the cyber cell or the police. For those who have already been victims, please call 1930 immediately and provide evidence such as screenshots or call recordings to assist in investigations.

“These scams are so realistic that every day, hundreds of people lose billions of their hard-earned money,” Kamath said.