New Delhi, January 9, 2026: In a major breakthrough, the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of Delhi Police has busted a sophisticated digital arrest syndicate, arresting five men, including two private bank employees, for defrauding an 80-year-old man of nearly ₹1 crore. The investigation revealed a highly organized scheme in which the elderly victim and his wife were terrorized and manipulated into transferring their entire life savings over a period of seven days.

According to police officials, the accused exploited the growing trend of cyber fraud and digital impersonation. The syndicate initially contacted the elderly victim via WhatsApp, posing as officials from various law enforcement and central agencies. They claimed that the victim’s mobile number and Aadhaar credentials were linked to illegal activities, creating a false sense of fear and urgency.

“The gang cheated the man of ₹96 lakh,” a senior police officer said, adding that the criminals persuaded the victim to prematurely close fixed deposits, transfer all his savings, and even take a gold loan, assuring him that the money would be returned after a so-called verification process.

How the Investigation Unfolded

The victim’s family filed an e-FIR on November 4, 2025, at the IFSO police station, prompting a detailed investigation. The police traced the digital footprints of the accused, examined bank account transactions, and analysed technical data from the devices used in the fraud.

Through meticulous tracking, one of the main accused, Pradeep Kumar, was located in Hisar, Haryana, and during the probe, Namandeep Malik, also from Hisar, was identified and arrested. The investigation further led to Shashikant Pattanayak, arrested from Bhubaneswar, Odisha, who played a crucial role in managing the beneficiary accounts, facilitating fraudulent GST registrations, and layering the defrauded money through multiple accounts to obscure the financial trail.

Police sources said that the syndicate operated in a well-coordinated manner, with distinct roles assigned to each member. While some were responsible for digital impersonation and coercion, others handled the technical aspect of creating accounts, routing funds, and concealing evidence of transactions.

Involvement of Bank Employees

A significant aspect of the scam involved the participation of two private bank officials based in West Delhi, identified as Nilesh Kumar, senior sales manager, and Chandan Kumar, sales officer. According to the police, these employees assisted the gang by opening a fake current account using forged documents. The account was subsequently used to divert and siphon off the proceeds of the cyber fraud.

“Their cooperation with the syndicate allowed the criminals to move large sums quickly and undetected,” the officer added. Authorities noted that the bank employees’ involvement demonstrates how cybercriminals increasingly exploit insiders in financial institutions to facilitate high-value scams.

Modus Operandi

The gang’s modus operandi revolved around psychological intimidation combined with digital manipulation. By claiming that the victim’s digital identity was compromised and could trigger legal action, the fraudsters created a climate of fear. The elderly couple, fearing imprisonment or other punitive action, complied with the demands, transferring money across multiple channels, including fixed deposits, savings accounts, and gold loans.

In addition to transferring funds, the criminals exploited the victim’s trust to manipulate documentation, which allowed them to open bank accounts and register businesses under fraudulent identities. They also implemented “layering” techniques, moving the money across various accounts to conceal its origin and complicate tracing efforts.

Ongoing Investigation

The police said further investigation is ongoing to identify additional conspirators, trace the complete money trail, and examine the involvement of other facilitators linked to the racket. Authorities are also working with banks and digital platforms to assess the scope of the fraud and prevent similar incidents in the future.

Delhi Police have warned citizens, especially the elderly, to be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages from people claiming to be law enforcement officials or central agencies. They urged individuals to verify credentials independentlyand report suspicious communications immediately.

“This case highlights the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals and the need for vigilance among banking customers,” a senior officer said.

Significance of the Case

The arrest of two bank employees as part of this gang is particularly alarming, indicating that insider assistance can amplify the reach and impact of cyber fraud. By combining traditional banking systems with digital coercion techniques, criminals are able to exploit victims more efficiently and siphon off large sums before being detected.

This case also underscores the challenges in protecting vulnerable senior citizens from financial fraud in a rapidly digitizing economy. Law enforcement agencies are increasingly prioritizing cybercrime cells and specialized units like the IFSO, which blend investigative expertise with technical capabilities to detect and neutralize high-value scams.

The investigation and arrests in this case send a strong message to cybercriminals and corrupt insiders that the Delhi Police are actively monitoring and acting against coordinated digital fraud syndicates.