Published: January 12, 2026

New Delhi – A senior NRI couple residing in Delhi’s upscale Greater Kailash-2 area fell victim to a sophisticated “digital arrest” scam, losing nearly ₹15 crore over a period of two weeks in a harrowing ordeal that left them psychologically traumatized. The couple, 77-year-old Indira Taneja and her 81-year-old husband Om Taneja, were manipulated by scammers posing as officials of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and Mumbai Police, who convinced them that they were under investigation for multiple criminal activities, including money laundering and involvement in a massive financial fraud.

Delhi Police confirmed on Sunday that an FIR has been registered with the city’s IFSO unit, and the case will be transferred to the Cyber Crime Unit following the couple’s detailed complaint. The incident highlights how organized cyber fraudsters are increasingly targeting elderly individuals with sophisticated tactics, leveraging fear and misinformation to extract enormous sums of money.

The Couple’s Ordeal

According to Indira Taneja, the ordeal began on December 24 when she received a call from someone claiming to be a TRAI official. The caller alleged that a phone number associated with Indira had been used to make obscene and abusive calls and was under scrutiny for involvement in a money-laundering case. Furthermore, she was warned that black money had been detected in her accounts and that she was now under the authorities’ radar.

Though initially skeptical, Indira recounted that the scammers connected her to someone posing as a Mumbai Police officer through a video call. The man on the video call, dressed in a police uniform and accompanied by apparent official insignia, claimed to be from Colaba Police Station. He informed her that a Canara Bank account had been opened in her name and that massive transactions had been executed without her consent. The supposed officer even displayed the photograph of a man named “Naresh Goyal,” asking if Indira recognized him, which she did not.

Indira said the scammers went to extraordinary lengths to create a sense of urgency and fear. They claimed that a fraud of ₹500 crore had taken place and that, since she had returned to India from the United States to serve the nation, the matter had become a national-security issue. The scammers advised her and her husband not to speak to anyone about the matter, emphasizing that any contact with others could jeopardize their safety and escalate the legal consequences.

The ‘Digital Arrest’

Over the next two weeks, the couple was put through what the scammers termed a “digital arrest,” a psychological tactic designed to create the illusion of continuous surveillance and legal control. From December 24 noon until the morning of January 9, the scammers kept the couple on phone calls and video calls for extended periods, demanding money in phases. The Tanejas were coerced into transferring funds repeatedly, with amounts escalating from ₹2 crore to ₹2.5 crore per transaction. The victims were led to believe that these transactions were part of a legal “verification” process to ensure their innocence and that the Reserve Bank of India and the Supreme Court were overseeing the procedure.

Indira recalled the experience as terrifyingly convincing. “They said a huge fraud had occurred and that my involvement made it a national-security issue. They showed official stamps and even claimed I would be refunded eventually. They convinced us that all of this was real,” she said. The scammers’ meticulous planning, knowledge of personal details, and use of fake official documents and insignia made the ruse appear authentic.

Om Taneja described the scammers as “well-formed” and informed. “They had a lot of information about us. There were three people involved, and they made us so fearful that we gave them all our bank details and personal information,” he said. The couple emphasized that their “biggest mistake” was not approaching the police earlier. “We were told by the SHO that we were put under (so-called) ‘digital arrest’. That is when we realized what had happened,” Om said.

Psychological Manipulation and Financial Loss

The scam relied heavily on psychological manipulation, instilling fear of legal consequences, threats to life, and the illusion of official authority. By maintaining continuous phone and video communication, the scammers controlled the Tanejas’ perception of reality, convincing them that compliance was necessary for their safety. According to Delhi Police, such scams are increasingly sophisticated, targeting vulnerable individuals by exploiting their trust in official institutions and the fear of criminal prosecution.

The financial impact on the couple has been devastating. Over the course of fifteen days, they lost ₹14.85 crore, their life’s savings, which were transferred through RTGS and other banking channels as directed by the fraudsters. The couple was under constant pressure and reportedly believed that failure to comply would result in immediate legal action or personal harm.

Breaking the Spell

It was only after the couple approached the Delhi Police that the full extent of the fraud became clear. “I am very shocked. Thankfully, we went to the police station and learned that we had been defrauded. All the drama they did was very convincing. They said they would help us, but it was all fake,” Indira said. The police noted that the scammers’ strategy combined continuous psychological pressure with authoritative-sounding claims to ensure compliance, highlighting the extreme sophistication of modern cybercrimes targeting seniors.

Following the incident, the couple reached out to the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 and requested time to file a detailed complaint in the presence of legal counsel. The Delhi Police IFSO unit has registered an FIR, and the case is expected to be further investigated by the Cyber Crime Unit, which specializes in digital fraud and online scams.

Raising Awareness

The Taneja case underscores the critical need for awareness and caution among senior citizens, particularly those with significant financial assets. Cybercriminals often use fear-based tactics, impersonation of government officials, and threats of legal action to manipulate victims. Authorities urge citizens to verify any such communications independently and report suspicious calls to law enforcement immediately.

Experts emphasize that elderly individuals should be particularly wary of unsolicited calls or video calls claiming to be from government agencies, banks, or law enforcement. Maintaining skepticism, avoiding immediate compliance with requests for funds, and consulting family members or legal advisors can help prevent such devastating losses.

Conclusion

The “digital arrest” scam experienced by Indira and Om Taneja represents one of the largest reported instances of psychological and financial exploitation in Delhi in recent years. Over two weeks, the couple’s lives were controlled through fear, manipulation, and the illusion of legal authority, ultimately resulting in the loss of nearly ₹15 crore.

Delhi Police have assured that they are investigating the matter thoroughly and that perpetrators, once identified, will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Meanwhile, the Tanejas’ case serves as a cautionary tale for citizens nationwide, highlighting the importance of vigilance, timely reporting, and skepticism when confronted with claims of legal or governmental authority in unsolicited communications.

Om Taneja’s reflection on the ordeal captures the lesson succinctly: “Not informing the police earlier was our biggest mistake. We hope that others learn from our experience and remain cautious when receiving such calls.”

As cyber fraud becomes increasingly sophisticated and widespread, law enforcement agencies continue to warn the public that awareness, timely action, and verification are the best defenses against such elaborate scams.

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