According to officials, scammers typically begin by tracking the online presence of potential victims. By closely monitoring social media activity, they identify senior citizens who appear financially stable, particularly those retired from government services or with visible assets. This information is then used to craft targeted and convincing fraud schemes.
A senior police officer noted that elderly individuals are often more vulnerable compared to younger people, making them easier to manipulate. Among the most common tactics employed are so-called “digital arrests” and sextortion scams, both designed to create panic and urgency.
In one such case from November 2025, a 70-year-old woman lost Rs 97 lakh after being contacted via a WhatsApp call by fraudsters impersonating police officials. She was falsely informed that her husband was involved in money laundering and other serious crimes. Under the pretext of securing his bail, she was coerced into transferring money across multiple bank accounts. It was only later that she realised she had been deceived and reported the matter to the police.
A similar incident occurred in January 2026, when a retired government officer was defrauded of Rs 1.18 crore. The scammers accused him of involvement in money laundering and drug trafficking, creating a sense of fear. He was then pressured into transferring large sums of money to avoid arrest.
The police have reiterated that there is no such concept as a “digital arrest” and urged citizens not to panic in such situations. They advise immediately disconnecting suspicious calls and reporting them to authorities.
To prevent such crimes, people have been cautioned against sharing sensitive financial or personal information and advised to limit social media exposure, particularly content revealing wealth or location.
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