Archive · 18 Jan 2026
Scammers Target Elderly Couple in Rs 15 Crore Digital Arrest Scam
An elderly couple in Delhi was tricked by scammers who pretended to be officials from TRAI and the police.
The scammers told the couple that their phone number was involved in a money-laundering case and threatened them with arrest if they didn't transfer money.
The couple was scared and kept their phones on all the time, even while sleeping.
They transferred a total of Rs 14.85 crore over 12 days.
The police have since arrested three people involved in moving some of the stolen money.
An elderly couple was defrauded of Rs 14.85 crore by scammers impersonating TRAI and police officials.
The scammers threatened the couple with arrest and claimed the matter was related to national security.
The couple was constantly monitored and instructed to keep their phones charged and connected.
Three individuals were arrested for moving Rs 6 crore of the defrauded amount from mule accounts.
The scam occurred over a 12-day period between December 24, 2025, and January 9, 2026.
- Who
- An elderly couple, Dr. Indira Taneja and Dr. Om Taneja, were targeted by scammers impersonating TRAI and police officials.
- What
- The scammers defrauded the couple of Rs 14.85 crore through a digital arrest scam.
- When
- The scam occurred between December 24, 2025, and January 9, 2026.
- Where
- The victims reside in Greater Kailash, Delhi, and the scammers were arrested in Vadodara and Prayagraj.
- Why
- The scammers used threats and claims of national security to coerce the victims into transferring money.
Scammers
Victims
Method of Scam
Scammers
Scammers impersonated TRAI and police officials to threaten and coerce the victims into transferring money.
Victims
The elderly couple was constantly monitored and threatened, making them comply with the scammers' demands.
Amount Defrauded
Scammers
The scammers successfully defrauded the couple of Rs 14.85 crore over a 12-day period.
Victims
The victims lost a significant amount of money due to the scammers' tactics and threats.
- Victims
- Dr. Indira Taneja (77) and Dr. Om Taneja (81)
- Scammers
- Divyang Patel (23), Krutik Sitoli (22), and K S Tiwari
- Amount Duped
- Rs 14.85 crore
- Time Period
- December 24, 2025 to January 9, 2026
- Location
- Delhi, India
- Arrest Locations
- Vadodara and Prayagraj
- Amount Moved by Arrested Scammers
- Rs 6 crore
