A 51-year-old jewellery shop owner from West Delhi has been arrested for his alleged role in a large-scale online fraud that defrauded an elderly couple living in Faridabad’s Sector 29 of around ₹1.9 crore, police said. This case highlights the growing sophistication of government impersonation scams and how organised cybercriminals target senior citizens through fear and manipulation.
Accused Identified, Arrest and Custody
The accused has been identified as Amit Shakuja, a resident of Tagore Garden who owns VS Jewellers in West Delhi. He was arrested by the Faridabad police on January 23, 2026, following a complaint from the victim couple and sustained cybercrime investigations. After his arrest, Shakuja was produced before a city court, which granted three days of police remand, and he was later sent to judicial custody.
Police allege that Shakuja’s company details were used to open a mule current account, which was shared with other suspects linked to the organised cybercrime network that orchestrated the fraud. Investigators believe this account was one of several used to launder the stolen funds.
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How the Fraud Unfolded
According to the police, the elderly couple — both in their late 70s — were first contacted on December 9, 2025, by a fraudster posing as an official from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The impersonator falsely claimed that the couple’s bank accounts were linked to money-laundering activities and that urgent action was needed to “clear the matter.”
Under pressure and fear of alleged legal consequences, the victims were coerced into transferring money over a series of transactions between December 9 and December 19, 2025. The total amount siphoned off was approximately ₹1.9 crore. Police said the funds were routed into eight separate mule accounts spread across states such as Uttarakhand, Odisha, West Bengal and Punjab before disappearing into the criminal network.
Evidence, Freezes and Ongoing Raids
Investigators have already been able to freeze about ₹30 lakh of the defrauded amount in various bank accounts linked to the network, but a large portion of the money is still unaccounted for. Police are continuing raids at various locations to trace other suspects whose accounts were used in the scam and to identify additional gang members who made the threatening calls to the elderly couple.
Authorities say that the use of mule accounts — bank accounts opened under cursory identities or business fronts — is a common method used by cyber-enabled fraudsters, as it helps them move money rapidly across states and obfuscate the trail for investigators.
Police and Expert Warnings
Officials have reiterated that government agencies like the RBI, Reserve Bank or law enforcement bodies never call individuals to threaten arrest or demand money transfers. In such scams, fraudsters often impersonate regulators or police officials to instil fear and urgency, making victims comply with their instructions without verifying the authenticity of the contact.
Cybercrime experts say that such impersonation scams — often referred to as government impersonation frauds or “digital arrest” scams — target older adults by exploiting their trust in authority and limited familiarity with digital security practices. Criminals frequently instruct victims not to discuss the matter with family, increasing the psychological pressure and isolation of the victims.
A Growing Trend of Scams Targeting the Elderly
Cases of elderly victims being duped by impersonation scams have risen nationally. In similar incidents, cybercriminals have convinced seniors that they face legal trouble and must pay “verification” or “clearance fees” via bank transfers to resolve issues such as alleged money-laundering, tax delinquencies or enforcement actions.
Authorities and cybersecurity professionals advise that no official agency makes threats over phone or video calls or demands funds for “verification.” Victims and their families are urged to independently verify any such claims with official law enforcement before making payments or sharing sensitive information.
Tips to Avoid Such Scams:
- Do not trust unsolicited calls claiming to be from government or law enforcement.
- Verify official claims through independent channels (e.g., official websites or verified helplines).
- Never transfer money to unknown accounts, especially at the insistence of callers.
- Report suspicious calls immediately to cybercrime authorities.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
