A latest analysis report detailing latest trends in cybercrimes by a central cyber security agency has revealed a troubling trend. Fraudsters are targeting elderly citizens after conducting an initial
profiling and duping those who are from modest, middle-class backgrounds. Most of them were targeted in Southern Indian cities but victims are spread across India, using sophisticated impersonation tactics called “digital arrests” and fake investment schemes.
The report highlights a disturbing pattern of cases from across India, where elderly victims were duped into transferring tens of lakhs, sometimes even crores, under fear or false promises.
This month only, a 64-year-old senior citizen living in Mohali’s Sector 71 was trapped by cyber fraudsters after being lured through a fake Facebook investment pop-up, making him loosing staggering Rs 1.5 crore.
Similar tactics surfaced in Telangana, where a 78-year-old man and his wife from Nizamabad were trapped in a virtual “digital arrest.” Fraudsters impersonating police, CBI, TRAI, RBI, and even the Supreme Court extorted around Rs 30 lakh. Thanks to timely intervention, the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau managed to freeze nearly Rs 20 lakh of the transfers.
In Karnataka’s Udupi, a different ploy was used. Sixty-nine-year-old Henry D’Almeida fell for a fraudulent WhatsApp “trading” group called 725 Bob Caps. Lured by promises of high returns after seeing a Facebook ad, he transferred Rs 1.32 crore. And in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, a 62-year-old retired government employee was conned into transferring over Rs 2.5 crore in a similar digital arrest fraud reported earlier this month. The impostors accused him of money laundering, forcing him into a spiral of fear-driven compliance.
On 18 August 2025, a 78-year-old retired man received a WhatsApp call from someone claiming to be a Mumbai Crime Branch officer. Later, impostors posed as CBI and Supreme Court officials forced him to remain on continuous video calls, showed him fabricated court letters, and pressured him into liquidating shares and pledging his wife’s jewellery. By the time he realised it was a scam and lodged a complaint this month that he had lost nearly Rs 38.94 lakh.
All these cases have been reported over the past few days.
The report has revealed that cases reported recently revealed that cyber- Wolves are focusing on targeting big amount instead of spending time on petty benefits.
According to a top level official of cyber security grid, the fraudsters after getting connected with senior citizens do a basic profiling before duping them.
“Recent investigations and case reports indicate a sharp rise in cyber frauds specifically targeting elderly citizens across India. Offenders are exploiting the financial vulnerability, limited digital awareness, and strong respect for authority among senior citizens. Even individuals from humble, middle-class backgrounds have been defrauded the entire life savings,” an official said while talking about the report.
Why Seniors Are Being Targeted
While talking about the reasons why senior citizens are under the radar of cyber fraudsters, the official said, “Even seniors from humble, middle-class backgrounds have pensions, fixed deposits, gold, or retirement funds that can add up to tens of lakhs. To cybercriminals, this represents an accessible “nest egg.” Also, many elderly citizens are unfamiliar with tactics like spoofed WhatsApp calls, deepfake video calls, or phishing links. Scammers exploit this gap in digital literacy,” the official said.
Another big reason as per the report is fear. “Fraudsters pose as police, CBI, RBI, or even Supreme Court officials. Seniors, out of respect for authority and fear of legal trouble, often comply without verification. Living alone or being socially isolated makes retirees more vulnerable. Without immediate family intervention, they can be coerced for hours or days,” the official said while talking about the modus operandi.
400 Per Cent Spike In Cybercrime Incidents
India has witnessed an alarming 400 per cent spike in cybercrime incidents over the past four years, marking a dramatic shift from urban-centric threats to a deeply entrenched nationwide cybercrime web.
States like Telangana, Gujarat, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Odisha have emerged as unexpected hotspots — away from metros—reflecting the rapid digital infiltration and rising vulnerabilities across rural and semi-urban India with the highest growth in cases reported.
