DAPA (Digital Arrest Protection App)

Inspired by the Hindi word 'धप्पा' (meaning ‘busted’), A tool to combat digital scams.

Overview

DAPA enables users to report financial scams and frauds efficiently via a user-friendly platform. The system facilitates the following:

Report a Scam: Users can provide details such as the scammer’s phone number and a brief description of the fraud. DAPA categorizes the scam and records the report.
Search a Phone Number: Users can check whether a specific number has been previously flagged for fraudulent activities.

With its streamlined architecture powered by AI, DAPA aims to mitigate the growing epidemic of financial scams by creating a comprehensive record of scam incidents.

Why DAPA Matters

The Growing Threat of Financial Scams:

India:
- According to reports, the annual financial loss due to digital scams and frauds in India amounts to ₹60,000 crore.
- A surge in digital adoption has inadvertently made India a hotspot for cybercriminal activities, including the Digital Arrest Scam where scammers impersonate law enforcement officials to defraud victims of significant amounts.
Global:
- Financial scams cost individuals and businesses over $5 trillion annually worldwide.
- An increasing number of scams now exploit vulnerabilities in mobile and social media platforms.

Spotlight on the Digital Arrest Scam:

The Digital Arrest Scam, a notable threat in India, sees fraudsters pretending to be law enforcement officials to extort money by intimidation. Victims are coerced into paying under the pretense of avoiding legal trouble. (Sources: The Hindu)

Prime Minister Modi have highlighted the urgent need to address these issues through education and vigilance.

Why an AI Chatbot Instead of Traditional Form-Based Tools?

DAPA leverages an AI chatbot over traditional form-based tools for the following reasons:

Localized Language Support:
- Users can narrate their experiences in their own local language, including dialects, through platforms like WhatsApp. The AI chatbot interprets, summarizes, and processes this information seamlessly.
Ease of Use:
- Unlike rigid forms, a conversational AI provides a more intuitive, human-like interface, enabling users to express their ordeal naturally without worrying about form structure or specific formats.
Advanced Understanding:
- The AI model not only captures and categorizes scam details but also creates concise summaries, ensuring that valuable information is accurately stored in a centralized database for combating scams.
Centralized Scam Pattern Analysis:
- The summaries generated by the chatbot help uncover common scam patterns. By analyzing these trends, DAPA contributes to developing preventive measures and combating scams more effectively at scale.
Accessibility:
- By integrating with popular platforms like WhatsApp, the AI chatbot increases accessibility, making it easier for users in remote or underserved areas to report scams.
Insights:
- With AI, identifying patterns and emerging threats faster than traditional tools, thereby enhancing preventative measures.

Features

Core Features:

Fraud Reporting:
- Easy submission of scammer details.
- Categorization of the scam using AI-based inference.
- Centralized record maintenance for tracking scam patterns.
Fraud Search:
- Quick lookup of phone numbers to check for prior scam reports.

Technology Stack:

Backend: Python, FastAPI, LangGraph
Frontend: Streamlit
Database: PostgreSQL
AI Model: GROQ LLaMA 3 (Configurable)

Setup Instructions

Environment Configuration

Create the environment file:

cp example.env .env

Add Groq token

Build and Run the Application

Build the application container using Docker:

docker compose up --build -d

Access the App:

Chatbot: http://localhost:8088/
API Documentation: http://localhost:8080/docs

Architecture Diagram

Future Roadmap

WhatsApp Integration: Users will be able to report and identify scams via WhatsApp for enhanced convenience. This will be achieved through a webhook system.
Enhanced AI Capabilities: Continuous improvement of the scam categorization model to ensure accuracy and adaptability to emerging scam types.

Contact

For improvements or collaboration, feel free to connect:
Raushan's LinkedIn Profile

Together, let’s combat financial fraud and make the digital world safer for everyone.

DAPA – Digital Arrest Protection App