New Delhi: A high-value cyber fraud case involving the intimidation of an elderly NRI couple through a so-called “digital arrest” has led to the exposure of an international cybercrime syndicate operating from Cambodia and Nepal. With the arrest of five more accused, the total number of arrests in the case has reached eight, as investigators continue to trace the money trail and overseas handlers behind the ₹14.85 crore fraud.
The case came to light after an elderly couple residing in South Delhi’s Greater Kailash area — 81-year-old Om Taneja and 77-year-old Indira Taneja — were subjected to sustained psychological pressure through phone and video calls between December 2025 and January 2026. The callers falsely claimed that Indira Taneja’s mobile number had surfaced in a money-laundering investigation linked to Mumbai and warned the couple of immediate legal consequences.
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According to investigators, the fraudsters impersonated regulatory and investigative authorities, creating an elaborate illusion of an official probe. The victims were repeatedly told they were under “digital arrest” and instructed not to contact anyone while their bank accounts were being “verified”. Under this sustained fear, the couple was coerced into transferring large sums of money to multiple bank accounts.
In total, ₹14.85 crore was siphoned off through eight separate transactions. The funds were routed through a network of mule accounts and later withdrawn or layered across different channels to obscure their origin.
The five newly arrested accused have been identified as Arun Kumar Tiwari, Pradyuman Tiwari, Bhupender Kumar Mishra alias Atul Mishra, Aadesh Kumar Singh, and Mahavir Sharma. Investigators said the backgrounds of the accused reveal how ordinary individuals were drawn into organised cybercrime. While one of the accused worked as a private data-entry operator and ran an NGO, another earned a living as a priest performing private religious rituals. Others included an MBA graduate engaged in private employment and a tutor involved in coaching and tuition services.
Officials said the diversity of profiles helped the syndicate operate discreetly, with accounts and transactions appearing routine and avoiding immediate suspicion. These accused allegedly acted as facilitators, managing mule accounts and executing financial instructions received from handlers based abroad.
Earlier arrests in the case included Divyang Patel, Krutik Shitole, and Ankit Mishra alias Robin. Investigators say these accused were instrumental in receiving and moving large portions of the defrauded money. Some accounts were reportedly operated in the names of charitable trusts or private firms, further complicating the financial trail.
A detailed technical and financial analysis revealed that the money moved through multiple banking layers before being withdrawn in cash or redirected. Several mobile phones, cheque books and digital devices have been seized and sent for forensic examination. Authorities believe the syndicate may be linked to other similar “digital arrest” scams reported in recent months.
Investigators stressed that the modus operandi relied on fear, authority and isolation. Victims were kept under constant watch through video calls, warned against sharing details with family members, and shown fabricated notices and scripted legal threats to maintain control.
Authorities have reiterated that no government agency arrests individuals over phone or video calls, nor do they seek money transfers for account verification or investigations. Any demand for funds under such pretences is a clear indicator of fraud.
The case is being treated as an organised, inter-state and international cybercrime operation. Efforts are underway to identify overseas handlers, trace remaining mule accounts and determine whether more victims were targeted using the same network. Further arrests are likely as the investigation progresses.
Citizens have been urged to remain alert and not panic if they receive threatening calls claiming to be from enforcement or regulatory bodies. Any such communication should be immediately reported to cybercrime helplines or the nearest police station. Vigilance, officials said, remains the strongest defence against evolving digital frauds.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
