‘Matter of national security’: Delhi couple kept under ‘digital arrest’ for over 2 weeks, duped of nearly ₹15 crore

January 11, 2026

New Delhi:  Cybercriminals allegedly defrauded an elderly doctor couple living in Greater Kailash, South Delhi, of ₹14.85 crore. According to the police, the accused kept them under “digital arrest” for more than two weeks, constantly threatening them and forcing them to transfer money.

The fraud took place between December 24th and January 9th, when the accused, posing as law enforcement officers, pressured the couple. An e-FIR has been registered in the case, and the Delhi Police Cyber ​​Crime Unit is investigating.

Calls posing as officers, threats to disconnect the number

Victim Indira Taneja said she received the first call around noon on December 24th.

“The caller identified himself as from TRAI and said there was a complaint about obscene calls from my number, so the number would be disconnected,” he said.

The caller then accused him of money laundering and claimed that an FIR and arrest warrant had been issued against him in Maharashtra.

‘Policeman’ on video call, fake accusation

According to Taneja, he was later connected to a man in police uniform on a video call.

“He said a Canara Bank account in my name had been used in a major fraud and that it was a matter of national security,” he said.

According to the police, the couple, both doctors, have been living in Greater Kailash since 2016 after returning from the US. Their children are settled abroad, which the accused took advantage of.

Threatened by citing ‘national security’

The caller invoked patriotism to create an atmosphere of fear.

“He said that if I came from the US to serve India, it was a matter of national security. If I was found involved, I would have to come to Mumbai and be arrested,” Taneja said.

When she explained that her husband was undergoing treatment at AIIMS after surgery and travel was impossible, the accused suggested another way.

Kept in ‘Digital Arrest’

“They said they would continuously ‘verify’ me and release me soon, but the process would continue until then,” Taneja said. She likened this to a bail-like process.

The couple alleges that they were instructed not to contact anyone and were kept on constant phone and video calls for several days—what the police call “digital arrest.”

Fraud revealed when calls stopped

According to the police, the calls suddenly stopped on January 9th, after which the couple became suspicious and contacted the police.

Taneja stated that he repeatedly cited his medical condition and loneliness, but the pressure continued, ultimately resulting in a loss of ₹14.85 crore.

Investigation ongoing, accounts and accused sought

Delhi Police have stated that the bank accounts to which the money was transferred are being traced and efforts to identify the accused have been intensified. The Cyber ​​Crime Unit is investigating the transactions and digital leads.