Delhi’s Digital Arrest Scam: Elderly Couple Loses ₹14 Crore; 7 Arrested
Delhi’s Digital Arrest Scam: Elderly Couple Loses ₹14 Crore; 7 Arrested
Delhi Police busted a transnational SIM box network linked to a ₹100 crore fraud, while an elderly doctor couple in south Delhi were duped of ₹14 crore in a 'digital arrest' scam.
Delhi Police have uncovered a transnational SIM box operation involved in a sweeping 'digital arrest' scam that duped thousands of people across the country, with seven suspects arrested in a ₹100 crore fraud network. The operation used SIM box technology and IMEI manipulation to route calls and create the illusion that victims were being contacted by official authorities.
In the most high-profile Delhi case, an elderly doctor couple living in Greater Kailash, who had recently returned from the United States, were kept under 'digital arrest' for more than two weeks. The fraud occurred between December 24 and January 9, with criminals impersonating law enforcement officials and coercing the couple to transfer money to multiple bank accounts. An e-FIR was lodged on January 10, and the cybercrime unit of Delhi Police has launched a formal investigation. Witnesses note that banners behind the callers read 'Colaba police', a tactic designed to boost their credibility.
Authorities say the couple were isolated and subjected to persistent phone and video calls, creating pressure to comply before authorities allegedly arrest them, which is how the scammers extracted around ₹14 crore from them. The broader operation reportedly links to Chinese, Cambodian, and Pakistani networks, illustrating a sophisticated global web built on counterfeit identity, SIM manipulation, and fear of arrest.
While the ₹14 crore case highlights the personal toll, the seven-arrest in the larger ₹100 crore fraud underscores the scale of the crime. Delhi Police's cybercrime unit is continuing investigations, tracing bank transfers and coordinating with international partners to dismantle the network.
Experts warn that elders and others living away from family are particularly vulnerable, urging people to verify any police contact, know emergency numbers, and beware of unsolicited calls asking for money. Police emphasize the need to halt transfers immediately and report suspected scams.
