Mumbai, Aug 26 (IANS) Asserting that there is legally and practically “no such thing as digital arrest,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday urged citizens not to succumb to psychological manipulation by cybercriminals.
Speaking at a public awareness event organised by Maharashtra Cyber, CM Fadnavis addressed the sharp rise in sophisticated online scams. He warned that fraud syndicates routinely exploit fear by impersonating law enforcement officers, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) personnel, or judges—often using simulated courtroom setups or uniform-clad actors on video calls to intimidate victims into compliance.
The Chief Minister launched a headline awareness campaign, releasing a 42-minute short film titled ‘Digital Arrest’ alongside the ‘1930 Maharashtra Cyber Anthem’. The multimedia drive, which includes shorter clips and social media reels featuring popular celebrities, aims to reach households statewide.
Fadnavis emphasised that the “Golden Hour” immediately following a cyber fraud incident is critical. Reporting the crime during this timeframe significantly increases the chances of freezing or recovering the defrauded amount. Delaying reports by three to fifteen days allows criminals to siphon money across multiple accounts, making recovery extremely difficult. Therefore, citizens must dial 1930 without delay as soon as they suspect fraud, he said.
The Chief Minister noted that as mobile banking, digital payments, and online portals become integral to daily life, public vulnerability to cyber threats has surged. He stated that alongside modernising police tech, widespread public awareness remains the strongest defence. Scammers routinely use tactics like claiming drugs were found in a parcel, OTP fraud, fake phone calls, and impersonating law enforcement officers. Seeing uniform-clad individuals or courtroom setups on screen frightens citizens into compliance, he added.
Acknowledging the rising threats of voice cloning, deepfakes, and manipulated media powered by AI, the Chief Minister praised Maharashtra Cyber’s proactive stance in mitigating these risks.
During the event, Yashasvi Yadav, Head of the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, gave a presentation detailing upcoming initiatives, including the Maharashtra Cyber Safe App and the ‘Asha’ Call Bot. The Chief Minister felicitated the contributing artists, who also shared their insights on promoting digital safety.
–IANS
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