Elderly NRI Doctor Couple Duped of ₹14.85 Crore in Delhi “Digital Arrest” Cyber Fraud
An elderly NRI doctor couple in Delhi lost ₹14.85 crore in a sophisticated cyber fraud involving fake law enforcement officials and prolonged “digital arrest” through video surveillance. The case is being investigated by Delhi Police’s IFSO cyber unit.
Elderly NRI Doctor Couple Loses ₹14.85 Crore in Elaborate “Digital Arrest” Cyber Fraud in Delhi
An elderly NRI doctor couple residing in Delhi was allegedly cheated of ₹14.85 crore in a highly sophisticated cyber fraud, where scammers kept them under continuous “digital arrest” for more than two weeks, officials from Delhi Police said.
The victims, Dr Om Taneja and Dr Indira Taneja, had spent nearly 48 years in the United States, serving with the United Nations, before returning to India in 2015 after retirement. Post-retirement, they were actively involved in charitable and social service activities.
Case Overview at a Glance
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Victims | Dr Om Taneja & Dr Indira Taneja (77) |
| Location | Delhi |
| Total Amount Lost | ₹14.85 crore |
| Fraud Duration | Dec 24, 2025 – Jan 10, 2026 |
| Fraud Technique | Digital Arrest via Video Surveillance |
| Legal Threats Used | PMLA, Money Laundering, National Security |
| Number of Bank Accounts | 8 different accounts |
| Investigating Agency | IFSO – Delhi Police Special Cell |
According to the complaint, the fraud began on December 24, 2025, when the couple received calls from cybercriminals impersonating law enforcement officials. The callers threatened them with arrest warrants and fabricated criminal cases, invoking the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and falsely accusing them of involvement in financial crimes and national security violations.
From December 24 to January 10, the scammers maintained round-the-clock video call monitoring, a coercive method referred to as digital arrest. During this period, Dr Indira Taneja was coerced into transferring money to eight separate bank accounts. Each transaction ranged between ₹2 crore and ₹2.10 crore, cumulatively amounting to ₹14.85 crore.
How the Fraud Was Executed
| Method Used | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Constant Video Calls | To prevent the victims from contacting others |
| Legal Intimidation | To create fear and urgency |
| Scripted Explanations | To mislead bank officials |
| RBI Refund Claim | To falsely assure recovery of money |
| Police Impersonation | To establish fake authority |
The fraud came to light on January 10, when the scammers instructed Dr Indira Taneja to visit her local police station, claiming the money would be refunded by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Even at the police station, the scammers remained connected through a video call and spoke directly to the Station House Officer (SHO) in a rude and authoritative manner.
It was only after police intervention that the couple realised the entire operation was fraudulent and that the promised RBI refund was fictitious. The couple is reportedly in severe psychological shock, having lost their life savings.
Considering the seriousness and scale of the crime, Delhi Police transferred the investigation to the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of the Special Cell, which handles organised and high-value cybercrime cases.
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