In a staggering case that underscores the growing menace of sophisticated cybercrime, a retired doctor couple in South Delhi was swindled of approximately Rs 15 crore after being subjected to a terrifying 'digital arrest' that lasted more than two weeks. The elderly victims, who live in Greater Kailash and had returned from the United States in 2016, were targeted while their children were overseas.
The Anatomy of a Two-Week Digital Kidnapping
The harrowing ordeal for the couple began on December 24 and continued relentlessly until January 9. According to police sources, the fraudsters meticulously isolated the victims, posing as officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and police officers from Mumbai. They leveled serious false allegations against the couple, including money laundering and tax evasion.
Under constant psychological pressure and threat, the couple was manipulated into believing they were under investigation. The scammers, using video calls to maintain surveillance, ordered them not to contact anyone or leave their home, effectively imprisoning them digitally. To clear their names, the couple was coerced into 'surrendering' or 'depositing' their life savings amounting to Rs 14.85 crore for 'verification' purposes.
The Unraveling and Police Investigation
The scam reached its climax on January 10. After the couple had exhausted their funds, the criminals instructed them to visit their nearest police station to obtain a release order for the 'seized' money. This bizarre instruction finally broke the illusion, and the victims realized they had been brutally duped. They immediately reported the crime via the national cyber fraud helpline 1930.
The complaint was first registered at the CR Park police station but was swiftly transferred to the Delhi Police's Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit, given the enormous sum involved. The IFSO team has officially filed an FIR and is actively tracing the complex money trail. Initial forensic analysis indicates the stolen amount was funneled into five to six primary bank accounts before being further dispersed to numerous other accounts and digital wallets.
A Growing Threat to Vulnerable Seniors
This case is now flagged by investigators as potentially one of the largest single-household losses in a digital arrest scam. It highlights the acute vulnerability of senior citizens, often targeted by international cyber-syndicates employing sophisticated psychological tactics. These crimes are notoriously difficult to solve fully due to their cross-border nature and layered financial transactions.
The 'digital arrest' modus operandi is a cruel psychological play. Fraudsters impersonate authorities like the CBI, ED, or police, fabricate serious charges, and use fear and isolation to break down the victim's judgment. Last month, an 85-year-old woman in Delhi was similarly defrauded of around Rs 1.3 crore by scammers posing as Delhi Police officers, kept in a 'digital arrest' for a month.
The IFSO's investigation is ongoing, with officials scheduled to conduct detailed interviews with the traumatized couple to gather more leads. The case has sent shockwaves through the community, serving as a grim reminder for families to educate and protect elderly members from such predatory online schemes.
