Delhi Police have arrested two men from Gujarat for allegedly cheating an NRI doctor couple of nearly Rs 15 crore through a sophisticated “digital arrest” cyber fraud.
The accused have been identified as Divyank Patel and Shitauli, both residents of Vadodara. Police said around Rs 4 crore of the defrauded amount was transferred to Divyank Patel’s bank account. Both men have been brought to Delhi for further investigation.
One of India’s Costliest Cyber Fraud Cases
The case involves a 77-year-old IIT graduate and his doctor wife, who had returned to India after spending over four decades in the United States. The couple had planned to serve the country through their NGO, but are now reconsidering their decision following the massive financial loss. Investigators said the couple lost Rs 14.85 crore within about 15 days, making it one of India’s most expensive “digital arrest” scams.
How the Scam Unfolded
According to the complaint, Dr Indira Taneja received a call on December 24 from a man impersonating a police officer. Claiming to be an IPS officer, the caller alleged that her phone number was linked to offensive calls. He later invoked the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and warned the couple that the case had implications for national security. Similar threats were made to her husband, Dr Om Taneja.
Impersonation of Government Authorities
The fraudsters posed as officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and other agencies. The couple alleged that they were kept under constant surveillance through their phones and were instructed not to disconnect calls or switch off their devices from November 24 to December 9.
Victims Kept Under Constant Watch
“The fake officer told us not to disconnect and keep the phones charged. He identified himself as Dinesh Gupta and remained connected 24*7 through phones. In fact, when I told him that we have to take my husband for a walk as he is suffering from a medical condition, the fake officer asked us to keep the phone on. Our phone used to remain on even while sleeping in our bedroom,” Dr Indira told News18.
Why the Couple Didn’t Inform Anyone
Explaining why they did not alert anyone while transferring large sums of money, Dr Indira said the caller repeatedly warned them that the matter involved national security and must not be disclosed to anyone, including their driver.
“They told us that the Naresh Goel case is linked to national security and we have to transfer money, which will get cleared and returned to us. He also asked us to keep it secret, saying they were monitoring us through our phones and laptops,” Dr Taneja said.
Investigation Continues
The Delhi Police stated that further investigation is underway to trace the remaining money and identify other individuals involved in the scam. Authorities have once again urged citizens, especially senior citizens, to remain vigilant against cyber fraud involving impersonation and intimidation.
