Was a Former Caretaker Really Behind the Rs 14.35 Lakh Scam of an Elderly Woman?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Importance of Protecting the Elderly: The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals to financial scams.
- Police Efficiency: The swift action by the Cyber Police demonstrates effective law enforcement in cybercrime cases.
- Online Gambling Risks: The case reveals the dangers associated with online gambling and its impact on individuals.
- Trust and Betrayal: Trust placed in caregivers can lead to devastating consequences when abused.
- Ongoing Investigations: The authorities are committed to uncovering the broader criminal network involved.
New Delhi, Aug 10 (NationPress) In a significant development, the Cyber Police Station of Dwarka District has apprehended a 31-year-old individual in Rajasthan for allegedly defrauding an 80-year-old woman of Rs 14.35 lakh, as reported by authorities on Sunday.
The suspect, named Deepak Kumar Saini, previously served as the caretaker for the victim.
As per police reports, Saini cultivated the trust of the victim, Manjusha Rani Gupta, a resident of Royal Residency in Dwarka, while employed at her home since March 2020.
During his tenure, he sporadically accessed her mobile device. Between January 30 and June 6, 2025, he purportedly installed financial applications like Paytm, fetched OTPs, and transferred funds to his own account surreptitiously.
The victim filed a complaint with the police on July 16, prompting the registration of FIR No. 39/2025 under Section 306 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Preliminary investigations, including a review of call detail records, IP logs, and bank statements, indicated Saini's involvement.
Further inquiries unveiled that the accused was an active participant in online gambling networks running through Telegram groups such as “Kingstar,” “Rockstar,” and “King Ludo Betting.”
On July 31, a team led by SI Vikas Sangwan, under the guidance of ACP Ram Avtar and SHO Inspector Rajeev Kumar, tracked Saini to his hometown in Sikar district, Rajasthan, and arrested him. A mobile phone containing incriminating evidence and Telegram records was seized.
Authorities reported that Saini confessed to squandering most of the stolen funds on gambling, while the rest was spent on entertainment at clubs and hotels.
Efforts are ongoing to trace and recover the misappropriated funds and identify others involved in the gambling ring.
DCP Dwarka Ankit Singh praised the swift and thorough investigation, commending the team's empathy towards the elderly victim.
The accused, a Class 12 graduate, has been charged, and further investigations are underway to reveal the larger criminal network.