The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has taken a decisive step in combating cybercrime by blocking over 1,000 Skype accounts used by cross-border cybercriminals. These criminals were involved in various online scams, including intimidation, blackmail, extortion, and what the agency termed as “digital arrests.”
In an official statement released on Tuesday, the I4C highlighted the alarming trend of criminals posing as officials from regulatory and enforcement agencies to carry out their illicit activities. Many victims have reported substantial financial losses due to these scams. The agency urged citizens to reach out for assistance by calling 1930 or visiting www.cybercrime.gov.in in case they fall prey to such cybercriminals.
“This is an organized online economic crime and is learnt to be operated by cross-border crime syndicates,” stated the Home Ministry’s statement, underlining the sophisticated nature of these criminal operations.
One of the commonly reported scams mentioned by the I4C is the ‘parcel scam,’ where cyber fraudsters contact victims claiming that a parcel addressed to them contains illegal items like drugs or fake passports. In other instances, victims are informed that a family member has been involved in a crime or accident and is under the fraudsters’ custody.
The I4C is actively collaborating with law enforcement agencies across states and union territories to identify and investigate such cases. Additionally, the agency has partnered with Microsoft to block the identified Skype IDs used by these fraudsters. They are also working on blocking SIM cards, mobile devices, and mule accounts associated with these criminal activities.
The move by the I4C underscores the growing need for stringent measures to combat cybercrime, especially given the rise of sophisticated scams targeting unsuspecting internet users. The proactive approach taken by the cybercrime watchdog reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding citizens from online threats and ensuring a secure digital environment.
Sources By Agencies