NRI doctor couple targeted and duped of Rs 15 crore, two arrested

New Delhi: Delhi Police have arrested two people from Gujarat in a shocking cyber fraud case involving an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) doctor couple living in Greater Kailash.

The accused, identified as Divyank Patel and Shitoli, were apprehended in Vadodara and later brought to Delhi for questioning.

According to officials, the two played a key role in a fraud of approximately ₹15 crore.

The arrests are a major breakthrough, in what police have described as one of the most disturbing cases of “digital arrest” in recent times.

The victims, an elderly doctor couple who returned from the US in 2016, were allegedly held in digital captivity for more than two weeks.

Cybercriminals, posing as law enforcement officers, maintained constant contact with them via video calls, monitored their movements, and prevented them from leaving their homes or meeting anyone. Under the pretext of an “asset investigation,” the couple was coerced into transferring their savings to multiple bank accounts, promising to return the money after the investigation was completed.
However, when no funds were returned, the couple realized they had been defrauded and filed a complaint with the Delhi Police.
The fraud reportedly took place between December 24 and January 9, during which time the accused orchestrated this elaborate scheme.
The incident has sparked widespread concern, highlighting the growing threat of cybercrime and the potential for elderly citizens to fall prey to cunning scams.
An e-FIR was filed on Saturday, following which the Delhi Police’s Cyber ​​Crime Unit launched a swift investigation.
Officials emphasized that this case illustrates how criminals are leveraging technology to exert psychological pressure on victims, effectively putting them under “digital arrest.”
Police sources have confirmed that further investigations are underway to trace more accomplices and recover the defrauded funds.
Authorities have also urged people to be wary of such fraudulent practices and immediately report suspicious messages claiming to be from the government or law enforcement agencies.