After serving in the US for over 40 years, a 77-year-old IITian and his doctor wife came to India with the intention of serving the nation through their NGO. However, a cyber fraud forced them to reconsider and think about returning to the US.
One of India’s costliest “digital arrest” frauds wiped out the couple’s lifetime earnings, as they lost Rs 14.85 crore in nearly 15 days. A single phone call shattered their dreams of survival in India, and they are now fighting to recover their money.
On 24 December, Dr Indira Taneja received a call from a person claiming to be a police officer. The caller introduced himself as an IPS officer and told her that her number was involved in offensive and abusive calls. Later, the fake officer also invoked PMLA
and threatened them, stating that the matter was linked to national security. They also warned her husband, Dr Om Taneja.
The elderly couple was defrauded by people posing as officials of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Delhi Police is now investigating the matter, and a case has been registered.
Non-stop surveillance day and night
News18 spoke to the couple, who said that from 24 November till 9 December, they were kept under constant surveillance through their phones and were instructed not to disconnect and to keep their phones charged.
#WATCH | Elderly doctors Om and Indra Taneja duped of ₹14 crore in massive digital arrest cyber scam, held under pressure weeks.@AnkurSharma__ | #digitalarrestscam #cybercrime #onlinefraud #ElderlyScammed #cyberfrauds pic.twitter.com/1nODx3Rep3
— News18 (@CNNnews18) January 11, 2026
“The fake officer told us not to disconnect and keep the phones charged. He identified himself as Dinesh Gupta and remained connected 24*7 through phones. Infact when I told him that we have to take my husband for walk as he is suffering from a medical condition, the fake officer asked us to keep the phone on. Our phone used to remain on even while sleeping in our bedroom,” Dr Indira told News18.
‘Matter of national security’
When asked why they did not inform anyone while they were continuously transferring money, Dr Indira said the officer told them it was a matter of national security and that they could not share any information, not even with their driver who stayed with them at all times.
“They told us that Naresh Goel case is linked to National security and we have to transfer money which will get cleared and returned back to them. He also asked us,to keep it secret which they were also monitoring through our phones and laptops as they said it is the matter of national security,” Dr Taneja said.
Transferred money from mutual funds
When News18 asked how they managed to arrange such a large amount of money so quickly, the couple said it was their hard-earned lifetime savings. They transferred the money in parts, nearly Rs 2 crore each time, by withdrawing from their mutual funds and handing it over.
“It was our hard earned lifetime money. We transferred the money in parts almost 2 crores every time. We withdraw our mutual funds and handed over to them,” Doctor Taneja who completed MBBS in 1973 from Lady Harding, Delhi, told News18.
Crooks told them to visit the police station
According to the complainant, the fraudster on the call told the couple to visit the nearest police station only after the fraud was complete, which is when they realised they had been cheated.
“On 9th, the fake IPS officer told us to visit nearest police station to get the money back. He also briefed me and dictated what exactly I have to tell to the cops. He told me that it is related to PMLA 2002 case and required getting a clearance from police station to get money back,” Dr Indira said.
Fake IPS scolded real inspector
According to Indira Taneja, when she reached the police station, her phone call was still active. Initially, she met two policemen who failed to understand the PMLA angle. She was then asked to meet the SHO.
“My phone was on even than and the fake police officer could hear everything. When I met the SHO and asked her to speak with the fake IPS officer who was on call, the fake officer started scolding her, he also abused and said who made you SHO. But, the lady officer also gave him back and shouted that ma’am you have been scammed.”
‘No recovery will force us to leave India’
When asked whether the couple plans to leave the country after the incident, Om Taneja said they may have no choice if the money is not recovered.
“If there would be no recovery, we will be left with no option other than leaving the country. We have come here to serve since India gave us so much. But, after the incident we have no money and option left and must move back,” Om told News18.
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