Delhi Police Intensifies Crackdown on Rs 14.85 Crore Digital Arrest Scam
The Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of the Delhi Police has intensified its crackdown on a sophisticated digital arrest scam, arresting five more individuals in connection with a case where an NRI couple was defrauded of Rs 14.85 crore. This development brings the total number of arrests in this high-profile case to eight, revealing the extensive network behind this elaborate cyber fraud.
International Syndicate Operating from Cambodia and Nepal Exposed
Investigations have uncovered that an international cyber fraud syndicate, operating primarily from Cambodia and Nepal, orchestrated this massive scam. The Delhi Police confirmed that the syndicate employed sophisticated tactics to impersonate government officials and manipulate victims into compliance, highlighting the transnational nature of modern cybercrime.
Profiles of the Newly Arrested Accused
The five individuals arrested in the latest operation come from diverse professional backgrounds, showcasing how cybercriminals often blend into ordinary society. The arrested have been identified as:
- Arun Kumar Tiwari (45) from Varanasi, a BA graduate who works as a private data entry operator outside the Income Tax Office and runs an NGO called Shivas Charitable Foundation.
- Pradyuman Tiwari alias SP Tiwari (44) from Varanasi, who works as a priest and performs private pujas for devotees at Varanasi ghats.
- Bhupender Mishra alias Atul Mishra (37) from Lucknow, an MBA graduate who was engaged in private employment.
- Aadesh Kumar Singh (36) from Lucknow, who has completed BA (Hons) and was involved in providing tuitions and private coaching to students.
- Mahavir Sharma alias Neel (27) from Bhubaneswar, a BCom pass resident of Ahmedabad.
Modus Operandi: How the Scam Unfolded
The victims, Om Taneja (81) and Indira Taneja (77), residents of Greater Kailash 2 in South Delhi, were targeted between December 24, 2025, and January 9, 2026. The scammers posed as officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), claiming that Indira's mobile number had surfaced in a money-laundering case in Mumbai.
Using this fabricated story, the fraudsters manipulated the elderly couple into paying substantial amounts and providing their bank account details for verification, allegedly to be carried out by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This psychological manipulation, combined with official-sounding threats, created the perfect conditions for the massive financial fraud.
Police Investigation and Previous Arrests
A special investigation team led by sub-inspectors Raj Kiran and Atul Yadav, under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner of Police Prem Chandra Khanduri and Deputy Commissioner of Police Vinit Kumar, conducted extensive digital and financial analysis. Their investigation traced large sums of money to multiple mule bank accounts, leading to coordinated raids across several states.
Earlier arrests in this case included:
- Divyang Patel (23) from Vadodara, Gujarat, a BCom graduate who has completed CA (Inter). Patel runs an NGO named Floresta Foundation and provides financial services through his firm Tatva Business Advisors. His account received Rs 4 crore from the victims.
- Shitole Krutik (22) from Gujarat, who holds a Diploma in IT from New Zealand.
- Ankit Mishra alias Robin, a BCom graduate who previously worked as a Sales Executive with SBI Cap Securities.
During the operation, police recovered seven mobile phones and multiple cheque books, providing crucial evidence about the syndicate's operations.
Sophisticated Impersonation Tactics Revealed
Investigations have confirmed that the syndicate employed sophisticated impersonation tactics, posing not just as TRAI officials but also as representatives of the police, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), customs, and other government agencies. This multi-layered deception strategy was designed to create maximum psychological pressure on victims and ensure compliance with the fraudsters' demands.
Police Statement and Public Warning
Deputy Commissioner of Police Vinit Kumar described the offense as "grave, organised, and inter-state in nature" and confirmed that further investigation is underway to identify additional conspirators and trace the complete money trail.
The Delhi Police has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance approach towards cybercrime and issued a public warning: "Citizens are urged to remain vigilant against 'Digital Arrest' scams and immediately report suspicious calls or messages to authorities."
All the arrested individuals are believed to have acted as facilitators in the scam, operating mule accounts and laundering money on instructions from handlers based abroad. The Delhi Police continues to work on dismantling the entire network and recovering the defrauded funds.
