Elderly Delhi Couple Loses ₹14.85 Cr to Sophisticated Cyber Scammers, Hindsight Reveals Crucial Oversight
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A Delhi couple in their golden years has suffered a devastating financial loss of ₹14.85 crore to a group of cunning cyber scammers who impersonated officials from telecom and law enforcement agencies. The elderly couple, Om and Indira Taneja, were digitally arrested for over 15 days and coerced into transferring large sums of money to multiple bank accounts. According to the police, the couple was targeted between December 24 and January 9, during which they were subjected to continuous audio and video calls. The scammers exploited the couple's isolation, age, and medical conditions to intimidate and psychologically control them. Indira Taneja, a doctor, narrated her ordeal, stating that she received an audio call from a person claiming to be a Telecom Regulatory Authority of India official. The caller threatened her with arrest and accused her of being involved in money laundering. The scammer then switched to video mode, displaying a man in a police uniform, claiming to be investigating a ₹500 crore fraud. The scammers repeatedly demanded money from the couple, insisting it was for verification purposes. They also coached the couple on what to tell bank officials to avoid suspicion. The couple made eight transfers, losing a total of ₹14.85 crore. They were also forced to prematurely withdraw mutual funds worth nearly ₹2 crore. The couple's biggest mistake, according to Om Taneja, was not informing the police about their ordeal earlier. The case has been taken up by the cyber crime unit of the Delhi Police, and an e-FIR has been registered. As the investigation continues, the couple's story serves as a cautionary tale about the sophistication and cunning of cyber scammers. It highlights the importance of being vigilant and seeking help from authorities in such situations.
