Chandigarh: Cyber fraudsters have cheated residents of nearly ₹8 crore through digital arrest scams in the first ten months of 2026, with senior citizens bearing the brunt of these organised extortion operations. The Chandigarh Cyber Crime Cell received 28 complaints and registered seven FIRs between January 1 and October 31.
The number of reported cases has already exceeded the 16 complaints recorded in 2025. However, the financial damage was comparatively higher during the same period last year, when victims lost approximately ₹10.3 crore.
People aged between 53 and 89 have been among the primary targets, with those above 70 particularly vulnerable. In some instances, victims aged over 80 reportedly lost amounts ranging from ₹3 crore to ₹4 crore.
Fraudsters typically pose as officials from the police, CBI, Enforcement Directorate, RBI, Narcotics Control Bureau or TRAI. They accuse victims of involvement in crimes such as money laundering, drug trafficking or illegal parcel deliveries. Victims are then intimidated through prolonged video calls, fake government office setups and forged identification documents. Under pressure, they are persuaded to transfer money citing security deposits, account verification or legal settlements.
Several major incidents have surfaced in Chandigarh this year. In June, a couple lost ₹2.1 crore after being kept under video surveillance. On October 17, a retired UT administration employee and his wife were allegedly cheated of ₹1.9 crore by individuals posing as Anti-Terrorism Squad officers.
Other cases include a retired teacher from Sector 20 losing ₹48 lakh in September and an August fraud involving ₹9.5 lakh, which led to the arrest of Raj Kumar Shah, a Howrah resident.
Although police have arrested several operatives, the masterminds behind these interstate networks remain at large.
