Abhedya app and double OTP system strengthen protection against digital arrest and cyber fraud, says Yamunanagar SP Kamaldeep Goel
YAMUNANAGAR | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
Yamunanagar Superintendent of Police Kamaldeep Goel has warned residents about a growing pattern of cyber fraud in which criminals allegedly pose as police officers or government officials, threaten victims with so-called digital arrest and create psychological pressure to force them into making fraudulent transactions. He said senior citizens are particularly vulnerable to such tactics, with fraudsters often manipulating victims into sharing one-time passwords themselves.
According to the SP, Haryana Police has introduced the Abhedya app and a double OTP system to provide an additional layer of protection against such cyber offences. The system is designed to bring a trusted family member or friend into the verification process when a senior citizen attempts a transaction, making it harder for a fraudster to complete a payment through intimidation or deception.
Double OTP Adds a Second Layer of Verification
SP Kamaldeep Goel said the Abhedya app and double OTP mechanism can be especially useful in cases resembling digital arrest scams. If a cyber criminal pressures a senior citizen to initiate a transaction, the second OTP or confirmation message is also sent to the trusted person nominated by the user. This can alert a family member or friend immediately and create an opportunity to stop the transaction before the fraud is completed.
Under the system, the first OTP is received on the senior citizen’s registered mobile number, while the second OTP or confirmation call is directed to the nominated trusted person. The transaction is completed only after verification at both levels, creating an additional safeguard against coercion, deception and unauthorised transfers.
Police said the initiative combines security, family support and public awareness. The additional confirmation step is intended to give relatives or trusted contacts enough time to recognise suspicious behaviour and intervene when a transaction is being attempted under pressure.
Police Warn Against Digital Arrest Calls
Goel emphasised that no police department or government agency legally places a person under arrest over a telephone call through a so-called digital arrest process. He urged residents not to panic if an unknown caller threatens them with arrest, investigation, blackmail or official action in exchange for money or sensitive information.
He said people receiving threatening, extortion-related or suspicious calls from unknown or foreign numbers should immediately report the matter to the cyber helpline 1930 instead of sharing OTPs or transferring money. Early reporting can help law-enforcement agencies and banks take steps to limit the impact of a fraudulent transaction.
Senior Citizens Urged to Nominate Trusted Contacts
The SP specifically appealed to senior citizens to use the Abhedya app and nominate a trusted relative or friend for the double OTP facility. He said involving a second, trusted person can be particularly helpful when a victim is being subjected to sustained psychological pressure by cyber criminals.
The system is intended to create a pause between a pressured instruction and the completion of a transaction. That additional check can help families recognise unusual payment requests and prevent a cyber fraud from progressing.
Police have been repeatedly warning the public about tactics involving impersonation, fear and urgency. The latest advisory from the Yamunanagar SP underlines the need for citizens to remain cautious and use available safeguards instead of responding to threats or demands made by unknown callers.
Public Awareness Remains Key to Cyber Safety
The police advisory also highlights the importance of awareness in tackling cyber crime. Residents should avoid sharing OTPs, banking credentials or other sensitive information with callers claiming to be police officers, investigators or government officials. Suspicious demands should be independently verified through official channels.
Goel said the Abhedya app and double OTP system are designed to strengthen protection, particularly for senior citizens, but awareness and prompt reporting remain essential. In cases of suspected cyber fraud, residents should contact the cyber helpline 1930 without delay and preserve relevant messages, call details and transaction information for investigators.
The police department’s message is clear: citizens should not allow fear, threats or urgency created by an unknown caller to dictate financial decisions. A second verification through a trusted contact can provide an important safeguard at the moment when a fraudulent transaction is being attempted.
With cyber criminals increasingly using impersonation and psychological manipulation, the Abhedya app and double OTP mechanism provide an added layer of protection. Police have urged citizens to make use of these safeguards and remain alert to suspicious calls and requests.
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