Elderly NRI couple duped of Rs 14.85 crore in ‘digital arrest’ scam in Delhi

Digital Arrest

• Elderly NRI couple in Delhi lost Rs 14.85 crore in a "digital arrest" scam
• Scammers posed as officials, using threats and video calls to intimidate victims.
• Police urge public to verify calls and never transfer money under threat

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Cyber fraudsters have cheated an elderly NRI couple in Delhi of a staggering Rs 14.85 crore by trapping them in what is now being described as a “digital arrest” scam, according to a report by Press Trust of India.

The victims, an elderly couple living in the national capital, were targeted through a series of phone calls and video calls by people posing as government officials and police officers. The fraudsters allegedly used fear, urgency and official-looking setups to convince the couple that they were under serious legal trouble.

Indira Taneja, one of the victims, shared how the ordeal began on December 24. Around noon, she received a phone call from someone claiming to be from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. The caller said her phone number would be disconnected because it had been linked to obscene calls and complaints. Soon after, the tone of the call turned more serious.

She was accused of money laundering and told that an FIR and arrest warrants had already been issued against her in Maharashtra. To make the threat seem real, the caller then connected her to another person on a video call who was dressed in a police uniform. The man claimed that a Canara Bank account in her name had been used in a major financial fraud linked to national security.

Despite repeatedly telling the callers that she and her husband were senior citizens and that her husband was recovering from surgery at AIIMS, the pressure did not stop. The fraudsters continued to threaten arrest and legal action, leaving the couple terrified and confused. Over time, they were manipulated into transferring money, eventually losing Rs 14.85 crore.

Police officials say this case is part of a growing trend of “digital arrest” scams, where fraudsters pretend to be law enforcement or government authorities and keep victims under constant psychological pressure through calls and video interactions. Victims are often told they are under investigation and are instructed not to speak to anyone else, creating isolation and panic.

Authorities have once again urged people to remain alert. Government agencies and police never threaten arrest over phone or video calls, nor do they ask for money transfers to “clear” cases. Any call claiming to be from telecom regulators, police or investigative agencies should be verified independently.

To stay safe from such scams, experts advise never sharing personal or banking details over phone calls, avoiding panic-driven decisions, and immediately disconnecting calls that involve threats or demands for money. If in doubt, people should contact local police or cybercrime helplines and speak to a trusted family member before taking any action.

The case serves as a stark reminder that even well-informed individuals can fall prey to sophisticated digital fraud, and awareness remains the strongest line of defence.