New Delhi: Taking major action against cyber crime, the IFSO unit of Delhi Police has exposed an inter-state gang that was defrauding elderly people of crores of rupees by scaring them in the name of digital arrest. This gang, posing as officers of police, CBI and other government agencies, had cheated a 78-year-old man of more than Rs 2 crore 19 lakh. Five accused from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have been arrested in the case.
According to DCP Vineet Kumar, the person who called the victim and introduced himself as Lucknow Police Headquarters said that there was an arrest warrant in a money laundering case. Citing age and incompetence, the accused put him under so-called ‘digital arrest’. After this, by showing fear of misuse of Aadhaar card, information about his entire property, bank balance and cash was obtained from the victim.
The accused kept the victim under constant surveillance over WhatsApp video call and instructed him not to leave the house or talk to anyone. To provide confidence and create an atmosphere of fear, a fake CBI office was even set up and another person was introduced as a lawyer. Under this mental pressure, the victim transferred Rs 2.19 crore to different accounts between 26 November and 4 December 2025.
Arrests were made from these places: On receiving the complaint, a case was registered in IFSO and technical investigation was started. Investigation revealed that the amount was diverted to several Mule accounts. According to DCP Vineet Kumar, on the basis of technical surveillance and digital footprint, first two accused were arrested from Barwani, Madhya Pradesh, in whose accounts Rs 1 crore had reached. After this, three more accused were arrested from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, who were involved in providing fake accounts and layering the money.
This appeal was made: Police have recovered mobile phones, debit cards, chequebooks, rubber stamps and copies of Aadhaar cards from the possession of the accused. In the initial investigation, this gang has been found to be organized and active at the interstate level. DCP Vineet Kumar also said that Delhi Police is working on a policy of zero tolerance against cyber crime. Further investigation is actively underway to identify other criminals, conspirators, trace money trail and investigate the role of other active criminals and facilitators involved in this racket. He appealed to the citizens to beware of digital arrest, fake police or CBI calls and immediately report any suspicious call to the police.
Such an incident has happened before: Earlier, a 77-year-old NRI woman and her husband, residents of Greater Kailash-2 area of ​​South Delhi, were made victims of cyber thugs. An elderly couple was duped of Rs 14.50 crore by keeping them under digital arrest for 17 days. At present, after registering the complaint, the police is engaged in investigation.