SP Kamaldeep Goyal urges citizens, particularly senior citizens, to adopt additional safeguards against digital arrest and cyber fraud.
SP Kamaldeep Goyal urges senior citizens to nominate trusted family members or friends for an additional layer of protection against cyber fraud
PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK YAMUNANAGAR
Superintendent of Police Kamaldeep Goyal has urged citizens, particularly senior citizens, to remain alert against a growing cyber fraud tactic in which criminals allegedly impersonate police officers and government officials, threaten victims with “digital arrest” and use psychological pressure to force them into making fraudulent transactions. To strengthen protection against such crimes, Haryana Police has implemented the ‘Abhedya’ app and Double OTP system, which provides an additional layer of verification for financial transactions and is aimed at preventing fraud carried out through intimidation and manipulation.
The SP said cybercriminals are increasingly adopting sophisticated methods to target members of the public. Senior citizens are particularly vulnerable to schemes in which fraudsters claim to be officials from police departments, investigation agencies, banks or other government institutions. Victims may be told that their identity documents, bank accounts, mobile numbers or other personal details have allegedly been linked to a criminal case.
The fraudsters then create an atmosphere of fear and urgency, sometimes threatening the victim with arrest or what they describe as a “digital arrest”. By maintaining continuous contact with the victim and placing them under psychological pressure, the criminals attempt to make the victim disclose sensitive banking information or authorise transactions.
According to SP Kamaldeep Goyal, one of the major risks in such cases is that victims can be manipulated into sharing an OTP themselves. Once the victim provides the OTP or approves a transaction under pressure, cybercriminals can potentially complete fraudulent transactions from the victim’s bank account.
The Haryana Police’s Abhedya app and Double OTP mechanism have been introduced to provide an additional safeguard in such circumstances. The system is designed to ensure that a transaction involving a senior citizen receives an additional level of confirmation from a trusted person nominated by the account holder.
The SP explained that the additional verification can play an important role when a cybercriminal attempts to force a senior citizen into making a transaction. If a victim is threatened, intimidated or placed under psychological pressure, the second OTP or confirmation message is also sent to the trusted family member or friend nominated by the account holder.
This provides an opportunity for the nominated person to recognise that a potentially suspicious transaction is taking place and intervene before the financial loss occurs.
SP Goyal said the mechanism is intended to strengthen the security of vulnerable users by introducing an additional person into the verification process. Instead of relying solely on the senior citizen receiving and approving the transaction, the system creates another checkpoint through a trusted contact.
He said the initiative combines technology with family-based awareness and responsibility. The additional verification can help relatives remain informed about potentially suspicious financial activity involving senior citizens and enable them to act quickly when a transaction appears unusual.
The SP stressed that citizens should not panic if they receive threatening calls from people claiming to represent government agencies or law enforcement authorities. He made it clear that no government agency or police officer conducts a “digital arrest” over the telephone.
Citizens should therefore treat such calls with suspicion and avoid following instructions given by unknown callers. They should not share OTPs, banking credentials, passwords, UPI PINs or other confidential financial information merely because the caller claims to be a police officer, government official or representative of an investigation agency.
SP Kamaldeep Goyal also advised citizens to remain particularly cautious if they receive calls from foreign or unknown numbers involving threats, blackmail or extortion. Such calls should not be handled under fear or pressure. Instead, citizens should immediately report suspected cyber fraud to the national cyber helpline number 1930.
The SP specifically appealed to senior citizens to consider using the Abhedya app and activating the Double OTP facility by nominating a trusted family member or friend. He said choosing a person who can respond quickly and responsibly can provide an important additional layer of protection.
The Double OTP system works by requiring verification at two levels. Under the arrangement described by the police, the first OTP is received on the senior citizen’s registered mobile number, while the second OTP or confirmation call is directed to the trusted person nominated by the account holder. The transaction can be completed only after the required verification process is successfully completed.
This additional layer is intended to reduce the possibility of a cybercriminal completing a transaction solely by manipulating or intimidating the account holder.
Cyber fraud involving impersonation and psychological pressure has become a serious concern as digital banking, online payments and mobile-based financial services have expanded. Criminals frequently exploit people’s fear of legal action, financial penalties or arrest to prevent them from thinking clearly or consulting family members.
In a typical “digital arrest” scam, the fraudster may falsely claim that the victim is under investigation and must remain connected to the caller. The victim may then be instructed to transfer money or provide confidential information as part of a fabricated verification or investigation process.
Police authorities have repeatedly advised citizens that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not require people to transfer money over the telephone to prove their innocence or avoid arrest. Any demand for money accompanied by threats, secrecy or pressure should be treated as a major warning sign.
SP Goyal said awareness remains an important component of cybercrime prevention. Citizens should take time to verify the identity of callers and should immediately involve family members or trusted persons when faced with suspicious financial or legal threats.
He also emphasised the importance of reporting cyber fraud without delay. Early reporting through the 1930 helpline can help initiate the necessary response and improve the possibility of preventing further financial loss, depending on the circumstances of the case.
The introduction of the Abhedya app and Double OTP system is aimed particularly at strengthening safeguards for senior citizens, who may sometimes find it difficult to distinguish genuine official communication from sophisticated impersonation attempts.
The police have encouraged families to discuss cyber safety with elderly members and ensure that they understand that no genuine police or government official will demand confidential banking information or threaten them with a telephone-based digital arrest.
The initiative also highlights the growing importance of combining technological safeguards with human intervention. While digital security systems can provide additional protection, awareness among users and their families remains essential in preventing cybercriminals from exploiting fear and urgency.
SP Kamaldeep Goyal appealed to citizens to remain calm whenever they receive suspicious calls and to avoid making hurried financial decisions. Senior citizens, in particular, should immediately consult a trusted family member or friend if someone claiming to be a government or police official threatens them or demands financial information.
He reiterated that the Abhedya app and Double OTP facility can serve as an additional security mechanism for senior citizens, but users must remain alert and follow safe digital practices.
The police department’s message is clear: citizens should not allow fear, intimidation or urgency to override basic cyber safety precautions. Suspicious calls should be reported promptly, confidential information should remain protected and senior citizens should make use of available additional verification safeguards wherever possible.
With cybercriminals continuously developing new methods of fraud, the police have stressed that technological protection, awareness and timely reporting must work together to protect citizens from financial loss. The Double OTP system, according to the police, is intended to provide that additional layer of security by ensuring that a trusted person can also be alerted before a transaction is completed.
