Skype Introduces Live Warnings to Combat Rising Digital Arrest Scams in India

Skype has launched live warnings on its platform to protect users from impersonators posing as the Indian government and law enforcement officials in response to an alarming surge in “digital arrest” scams in India. 

These warnings, requested by the Government of India, are triggered by specific keywords and aim to educate and alert users about potential scams. One of the main alerts advises, “Indian legal authorities will NEVER contact you on Skype.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has previously emphasized that no Indian law enforcement agency would contact individuals on social media or messaging platforms for money, urging citizens to verify any such messages and exercise caution.

Digital arrest scams are an evolving threat in India. Fraudsters obtain personal information about their targets and impersonate officials from various government agencies, even using fake ID cards and uniforms. The background of the calls is often staged to resemble legitimate offices, adding to the scam's credibility.

These scammers typically inform their target that they are implicated in an ongoing legal case and must report to a police station or court immediately. The threat of an impending arrest leaves victims rattled, and at this point, the scammer offers an "out" by asking for money to make the "case" disappear. Many victims comply out of fear, unaware of the ruse until it is too late.

Skype's warning system is part of a broader effort to combat scammers who pose as law enforcement officers to extort money under the guise of legal proceedings. The platform has also introduced additional safety features for users, including options to report suspicious messages, control incoming calls by limiting them to known contacts, and block unwanted accounts. According to a senior government official, Skype has already disabled several major fake accounts impersonating Indian agencies like the Narcotics Control Bureau, the CBI, and the Enforcement Directorate.

With these new safety measures, Skype provides users with simple steps to protect themselves:

• Report Suspicious Messages: Right-click or long-press messages to report them. 
• Control Incoming Calls: Limit calls to known contacts under Settings > Privacy. 
• Block Unwanted Contacts: Easily block any suspicious user from their profile page.