NEW DELHI – A 16-day ordeal of psychological terror ended in financial ruin for an elderly NRI doctor couple in South Delhi’s Greater Kailash-II. Between December 24, 2025, and January 9, 2026, Dr. Om Taneja (81) and Dr. Indira Taneja (77) were kept under a “digital arrest,” eventually losing ₹14.85 crore to a sophisticated syndicate of cyber-criminals.
The Delhi Police’s Special Cell (IFSO unit) registered an FIR on Saturday, January 10, 2026, after the couple realized they had been defrauded upon visiting a local police station.
1. The Timeline: 16 Days of Captivity
The fraud began on Christmas Eve and exploited the couple’s isolation, as their children are settled in the United States.
- The Bait (Dec 24): Dr. Indira Taneja received a call from someone posing as a TRAI official, claiming her phone number was being used to send “obscene messages” and was linked to a ₹500-crore money laundering case involving Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal.
- The “Arrest” (Dec 24–Jan 9): Fearing arrest while her husband was recovering from surgery, Indira was connected to a man in police uniform named “Vikrant Singh Rajput,” purportedly from the Colaba Police Station.
- The Surveillance: The couple was forced to remain on a continuous video call for over two weeks. Scammers monitored their every move; if Indira left the room, they would video-call her husband’s phone to ensure she wasn’t talking to anyone else.
2. Financial Devastation
Under the guise of a “Supreme Court-mandated verification,” the scammers coerced the couple into liquidating their entire wealth.
- The Transactions: The couple made eight RTGS transfers to seven different bank accounts provided by the accused.
- Coaching the Victims: The fraudsters tutored Indira on what to tell bank managers. She was instructed to say the large sums were for “charitable trusts” or “investments” to avoid raising red flags.
- The Total Loss: The final tally reached ₹14.85 crore, which included life savings, fixed deposits, and the premature withdrawal of ₹2 crore in mutual funds.
3. The Reveal: A False Promise of Refund
The scam came to light on January 9 when the callers claimed the “verification” was complete and told the couple their money would be refunded by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
They were instructed to visit their nearest police station to collect “clearance letters” with Supreme Court stamps. As soon as the couple entered the station and explained the situation to the Station House Officer (SHO), the fraudsters—who were still on the video call—misbehaved with the officers and abruptly disconnected.
4. Safety Advisory: What is a “Digital Arrest”?
Authorities have issued a fresh warning that “Digital Arrest” is a fictitious concept used only by criminals.
Important Warning:
- No Legal Basis: There is no provision in Indian law for “digital arrest.” No police officer or judge will ever ask you to stay on a video call for “surveillance.”
- No Financial Verification: Law enforcement agencies never ask citizens to transfer money to a “secret” or “verification” account.
- If it Happens: Immediately hang up and dial 1930 (Cybercrime Helpline) or visit [suspicious link removed].