In a shocking case of cyber crime targeting the elderly, an 85-year-old woman in New Delhi was held under a so-called "digital arrest" for over a month by fraudsters impersonating police officers and was swindled of approximately Rs 1.3 crore. The scammers used sustained psychological terror, accusing her of serious financial crimes, to extract the massive sum.
The Month-Long Harassment and Psychological Torture
The ordeal began around November 6, 2025, when the victim, a resident of Tughlaqabad Extension in southeast Delhi, started receiving a barrage of WhatsApp audio calls from unknown numbers. According to a complaint filed by her daughter, the callers—both men and women—posed as lawyers and officers from Delhi's Daryaganj police station.
They falsely accused the octogenarian of involvement in grave offences like terror funding and money laundering. The fraudsters repeatedly threatened her with "digital arrest," creating an atmosphere of extreme fear and unrelenting psychological pressure. This harassment continued without pause until December 7, 2025.
"Extremely distressed and fearing for her safety, my mother rushed to the bank four times and transferred money through cheques, using funds from three of her accounts," the daughter stated in the complaint. The scammers were persistent and intimidating, insisting that monetary payment was the only way to avoid severe legal consequences.
Massive Financial Loss and Stolen Documents
Under immense duress, the elderly victim transferred huge amounts into multiple bank accounts controlled by the criminals. The transactions totaled around Rs 1.3 crore, broken into sums of Rs 5 lakh, Rs 1.9 lakh, Rs 1.20 crore, and Rs 8 lakh.
In a further violation of her privacy and security, the scammers also tricked her into sharing images of sensitive personal documents, including her Aadhaar card and Income-Tax PAN card. "My aged mother is devastated and in shock," the complainant added, highlighting the severe emotional toll the scam has taken.
Police Investigation and a Similar Past Case
Following the complaint, the Delhi Police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including cheating, cheating by personation, extortion, and criminal conspiracy. An investigation is underway to trace the accused and follow the trail of the stolen funds.
Police officials noted that the scammers followed a fixed modus operandi, preying on fear by falsely linking victims to serious national security crimes. This is not an isolated incident. In a strikingly similar case from the previous year, an 81-year-old woman was duped of Rs 1.2 crore after accused persons posed as police officers and even displayed a fake arrest warrant during a WhatsApp video call.
The rising trend of "digital arrest" scams underscores a critical need for public awareness, especially among senior citizens who are often targeted. Authorities urge people to verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a law enforcement official over phone or video call and to never share personal documents or make payments under threat.
