Delhi Couple Loses ₹14.85 Crore in 'Digital Arrest' Scam
Delhi Couple Loses ₹14.85 Crore in 'Digital Arrest' Scam
A Delhi couple endured weeks of coercive calls as scammers posed as national security officers, siphoning off nearly ₹15 crore in a chilling digital-arrest scheme.
Delhi doctors were drawn into a sweeping digital arrest scam that kept them on a two-week marathon of back-to-back calls. The fraudsters claimed a Canara Bank account in the couple’s name had been used in a major fraud tied to national security and warned that refusing to cooperate could lead to arrest.
The impostors used a video call setup that included banners behind the scammers reading Colaba police, a tactic designed to make the deception feel authentic. They insisted the couple must undergo continuous verification, stating that verification was ongoing and could lead to quick relief after a lengthy process. They also instructed the couple not to contact anyone during the period of verification.
The couple, both doctors who had returned from the United States and were living in Greater Kailash since 2016, appeared to be targeted because their children are settled abroad. Investigators say this factor was exploited to pressure them, as the suspects exploited the family’s medical constraints—one partner was recovering from surgery at AIIMS and used a walker—to stall travel or escape the intense pressure.
The harassment reportedly intensified as the husband was recuperating, with the callers insisting on the need for ongoing contact and verification. The couple finally realized something was wrong when the calls abruptly stopped on January 9 and approached the authorities. The loss was tallied at ₹14.85 crore, with police confirming that the probe is ongoing.
This case underscores how quickly digital fraud can target professionals and families, leveraging fear, national-security narratives, and social pressure to extract large sums. It also highlights the critical need for vigilant verification practices, safeguarding personal data, and awareness about impersonation scams in a connected world.
