In a shocking case of cyber fraud that highlights the growing menace of 'digital arrest', an elderly couple in South Delhi was swindled out of their life savings amounting to nearly ₹15 crore. The victims, 81-year-old Om Taneja and his 77-year-old wife Dr. Indira Taneja, were psychologically imprisoned by criminals impersonating government and law enforcement officials for over 15 days.
The 15-Day Digital Hostage Crisis
The terrifying ordeal for the Greater Kailash residents began at noon on December 24 and lasted until January 9. During this period, the couple was forced to remain on constant audio and video calls, completely isolated from the outside world. The fraudsters, posing as officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the police, issued severe threats to maintain control.
"The cyber fraudsters repeatedly threatened us with arrest and serious consequences," recounted Om Taneja in an interview. He lamented that their most significant mistake was not alerting the real police immediately. The criminals strictly forbade them from contacting anyone, including their neighbors or children who are settled abroad, exploiting the couple's isolation and advanced age.
Anatomy of a Sophisticated Scam
Dr. Indira Taneja described how the nightmare started with a call from a man claiming to be a TRAI official. He alleged that her phone number was used to make obscene calls and that 26 complaints had been filed, leading to its imminent disconnection. Despite her denial, the caller stated the case was being transferred to the Colaba Police in Mumbai.
The interaction quickly escalated to a video call. "A man named Vikrant Singh Rajput appeared on the screen wearing a police uniform. I could see police insignia behind him. He told me I was involved in money laundering," Dr. Indira said. The fraudsters claimed a Canara Bank account in Mumbai had been opened in her name for laundering money, falsely stating her fingerprints were linked to it and framing the matter as a national security threat.
They fabricated a story about a ₹500 crore fraud and insisted that since Dr. Indira had returned from the US to serve the nation, her involvement had become a critical security issue. To avoid immediate arrest in Mumbai, they offered a "verification process" as the only alternative, which involved transferring all their savings to various bank accounts for official scrutiny.
The Devastating Financial Loss
Under relentless psychological coercion, the couple began transferring massive sums. "They kept demanding money -- ₹2 crore, ₹2.1 crore, ₹2.5 crore. The phone or the video call remained active almost throughout the day," Dr. Indira explained. The first transfer was about ₹1.99 crore, and subsequent demands were consistently around ₹2 crore each.
In total, the criminals siphoned off ₹14.85 crore from the Tanejas. "We have lost all of our life's savings now," said the elderly woman, encapsulating the profound personal devastation. The couple had returned to India after decades of working in the United States and had been living in Greater Kailash since 2016.
Aftermath and Investigation
Following the nightmarish experience, the Delhi Police’s cyber crime unit has launched a full investigation based on a registered e-FIR. This case stands as one of the most severe instances of digital arrest fraud reported in the national capital, underscoring the sophisticated tactics used by cybercriminals to target vulnerable, elderly individuals.
The incident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of cyber vigilance. Experts advise that genuine government agencies never demand money for verification or threaten immediate arrest over the phone. Citizens are urged to directly contact their local police station or cyber cell to verify any such claims before taking any action or sharing personal/financial details.
