Did Delhi Police Uncover a ₹15 Crore Digital Fraud Targeting NRI Doctors?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Two individuals arrested in a ₹15 crore cyber fraud case.
- The victims were an elderly NRI doctor couple.
- Suspects coerced victims under the guise of an investigation.
- Incident highlights the vulnerability of elderly citizens to cyber scams.
- Police are actively investigating to recover funds and find accomplices.
New Delhi, Jan 17 (NationPress) The Delhi Police have apprehended two suspects from Gujarat in relation to a bewildering case of cyber fraud that targeted an NRI (non-Resident Indian) doctor couple living in Greater Kailash. The individuals, named Divyank Patel and Shitoli, were detained in Vadodara and subsequently brought to Delhi for interrogation.
Authorities indicate that these suspects were instrumental in executing a fraud scheme that totaled nearly ₹15 crore.
This arrest represents a pivotal development in what law enforcement has labeled as one of the most alarming “digital arrest” cases seen recently.
The victims, an elderly couple of doctors who relocated back to India from the United States in 2016, were reportedly held in a digital confinement for over two weeks.
Imposters posing as law enforcement personnel maintained constant communication with them through video calls, surveilling their actions and restricting their ability to leave their residence or interact with others.
Under the guise of an “asset investigation,” the couple was pressured into transferring their funds to various bank accounts, with promises that their money would be returned at the end of the inquiry.
However, when no funds were returned, the couple realized they had been scammed and filed a complaint with Delhi Police.
This fraudulent activity reportedly transpired between December 24 and January 9, during which the suspects executed their elaborate scheme.
The incident has raised significant alarm, emphasizing the increasing threat of cybercrime and the susceptibility of elderly individuals to advanced scams.
An e-FIR was filed on Saturday, leading to a rapid investigation by the Cyber Crime Unit of the Delhi Police.
Officials highlighted that this case illustrates how criminals are leveraging technology to exert psychological pressure on their victims, effectively placing them under a form of “digital arrest.”
Police sources confirmed that further investigations are ongoing to identify additional accomplices and recover the embezzled funds.
Authorities have also advised the public to stay alert against such deceitful schemes and to promptly report any suspicious messages claiming to be from government or law enforcement agencies.