Delhi Police have apprehended two individuals, Divyank Patel and Shitoli, from Gujarat in connection with a cyber fraud case involving an NRI doctor couple in Greater Kailash. The accused were taken into custody in Vadodara and later transported to Delhi for interrogation. Authorities state that the duo played a significant role in a fraud amounting to nearly Rs 15 crore.
The victims, an elderly doctor couple who recently returned from the United States, were reportedly confined digitally for over two weeks. Cybercriminals, posing as law enforcement officers, monitored the couple through video calls, restricting their movements and interactions. The couple was coerced into transferring their savings to various bank accounts under the guise of an “asset investigation,” with promises of reimbursement post the inquiry.
The fraud, estimated to have occurred between December 24 and January 9, has raised alarms about the rise of cybercrime and the susceptibility of older individuals to intricate scams. An e-FIR was lodged, leading to a prompt investigation by the Cyber Crime Unit of Delhi Police. Officials highlight the psychological pressure imposed by criminals on victims through technology, effectively placing them under “digital arrest.”
Authorities are actively pursuing further leads to identify additional accomplices and recover the embezzled funds. They advise the public to be cautious of deceptive communications purporting to be from government or law enforcement agencies and to report any suspicious activities promptly.
