An elderly couple in New Delhi became the latest victims of “digital arrest” when they were forced to stay confined in their home for 16 days and suddenly found they were out of nearly Rs 14 crore.
ANI
quoted police saying a 77-year-old NRI woman, a resident of Greater Kailash-II, reported that she was targeted by fraudsters posing as officials of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The incident allegedly took place between December 24, 2025, and January 9, 2026.
The couple, identified as 81-year-old Om Taneja and 77-year-old Indira Taneja, both doctors, who returned to India from the US in 2015, reside in Delhi’s Greater Kailash II.
According to the complainant, she had received a call from a person impersonating a TRAI official, claiming that her mobile number was involved in offensive and abusive calls. The caller alleged that black money was detected in her bank accounts and that she was under investigation for money laundering.
“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,” Indira told ANI.
According to police, the fraudsters had threatened the couple of immediate legal consequences and kept her under continuous psychological pressure. During the calls, the alleged callers provided several bank account details and persuaded the complainant to transfer funds via RTGS.
“Acting upon their instructions, the complainant transferred a total amount of Rs 14 crore to the said accounts,” a police official said.
The husband, Om Taneja, said: “They had a lot of information about us. They convinced us in such a way that, out of fear, we gave them all our information. There were three people involved in this.”
According to ANI, the complainant has lodged a complaint with the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 and has requested time to submit a detailed written complaint in the presence of her counsel.
Delhi Police said that upon receipt of the written complaint, the matter would be transferred to the Cyber Crime Unit / IFSO for prompt investigation. An FIR has already been registered by the IFSO unit of Delhi Police.
