Highlights:
- Delhi residents lost about $150 million to cyber fraud in one year
- Nationwide losses are estimated at nearly $2.4 billion
- “Digital arrest” scams target fear and obedience to authority
- Most fraud rings operate from Southeast Asia
- Recovery rates improved, but convictions remain rare
What was once the work of masked bandits has evolved into a new-age dacoity carried out through phones, apps, and fake authority figures. Over the past year, cyber fraudsters have stolen an estimated $150 million from victims in the Delhi region alone, according to police officials, highlighting the alarming scale of digital crime in India’s capital.
Losses ranged from a few thousand dollars to multi-million-dollar scams. In one extreme case, fraudsters siphoned off nearly $2.8 million from a single victim. Nationwide, total cybercrime losses are believed to be close to $2.4 billion, a figure comparable to the annual budget of a small Indian state.
The issue returned sharply to public attention last week after an elderly couple in South Delhi’s Greater Kailash neighborhood was defrauded of approximately $1.8 million, leaving them nearly penniless. The case shocked residents and underscored how easily cybercriminals can manipulate victims despite repeated public warnings.
Police data indicate that in 2024, cybercriminals stole approximately $132 million from residents of Delhi. That number climbed to roughly $150 million in 2025, a senior officer said. The only partial relief has been an improvement in recovery rates, which rose from 10 percent in 2024 to 24 percent in 2025, still little comfort to most victims.
Among them are Om Taneja, 81, and his wife, Indira, 77, who lost their entire life savings over the course of 16 days. The couple was subjected to what is now known as a “digital arrest,” a scam in which criminals impersonate authorities and threaten arrest for fabricated crimes.
The fraud began when Indira received a WhatsApp call from someone claiming to represent the telecom department, alleging her phone number was being used for illegal activities. Over time, the scammers escalated the threats, keeping the couple under constant fear from December 24 to Friday (9). During this period, they transferred their savings in multiple installments of around $240,000, draining bank accounts and liquidating mutual funds.
Police say digital arrest scams and fake investment schemes are now the two most common ways victims lose money. Investigators report that most syndicates operate from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, where large scam compounds run by Chinese handlers target victims worldwide.
Calls are routed through illegal SIM box devices that disguise international calls as local Indian numbers, creating urgency and evading detection. Another major challenge is the use of “mule” bank accounts—often opened by economically vulnerable individuals in exchange for small commissions, to launder stolen funds through complex money trails.
Authorities say they are ramping up awareness campaigns, especially for senior citizens, and working more closely with banks. Recently, two bank employees were arrested for allegedly helping fraudsters open fake accounts.
Officials urge citizens to report cyber fraud immediately via the national helpline, stressing that early reporting within 24 hours significantly improves the chances of freezing transactions and recovering funds. Cybersecurity experts add that while conviction rates remain low, growing investments in digital forensics and specialized cyber units are slowly strengthening the system.
