New Delhi, January 12, 2026: An 81-year-old retired United Nations official and his 77-year-old physician wife have lost their life savings of nearly ₹14 crore in an elaborate cyber fraud that lasted over two weeks, from December 24, 2025, to January 9, 2026.
Dr. Om Taneja, who served with the United Nations and the US federal government, and his wife, Dr. Indra Taneja, a former professor and doctor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey, returned to India in 2015-16 after spending nearly 48 years in the United States. The couple had been living quietly in Greater Kailash, South Delhi, when they became targets of one of the most sophisticated cyber frauds.
The ordeal began with a phone call from individuals posing as officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The callers claimed that over 20 complaints had been filed against the couple for circulating obscene videos and involvement in money laundering. FIRs had been lodged against them, and the fraudsters warned that arrests were imminent.
"The TRAI official said a number registered in her name had surfaced in a money laundering case in Mumbai," according to the complaint. When Dr. Indra Taneja denied ownership of the number, the scammer connected her to another individual claiming to be an officer from Colaba police station in Mumbai.
After the initial contact, Dr. Indra Taneja was allegedly summoned for a fake online Supreme Court hearing over a video call. Under the guise of a "verification process," the fraudsters told the couple they needed to transfer money to accounts provided by the "police," which would then be sent to the Reserve Bank of India for assessment.
"A man named DK Gupta joined the call, claiming to be an IPS officer. He said they had an RBI number, which I could submit to the police to get my money back after verification," Dr. Indra Taneja explained.
Dr. Indra Taneja revealed to investigators that her movements were closely monitored throughout the process. If she stepped out of the house or attempted to contact anyone, the scammers would immediately initiate a video call, often using her husband's phone.
During this period, she was forced to visit banks multiple times and transfer large sums to different accounts provided by the fraudsters. Before every bank visit, she was carefully trained on what to say if bank staff questioned the transactions. Even when a bank manager raised doubts about the unusually large transfers, the couple were told to claim the transfers were donations to charitable trusts.
The demands came in rapid succession, each meticulously planned. Dr. Indra Taneja was instructed to go alone to the bank carrying her husband's phone, while Dr. Om Taneja retained hers at home. The fraudsters orchestrated multiple transfers via RTGS:
December 26: ₹1.99 crore
December 29: ₹2 crore
December 30: ₹2 crore
January 2: ₹2.05 crore
January 5: ₹2.5052 crore
January 6: ₹2.10 crore
January 8: ₹2.20 crore
January 9: ₹50 lakh
The fraud came to light in the most shocking manner. The callers suddenly changed their tone and informed Dr. Indra Taneja that the case was closed and the money would be returned by the Reserve Bank of India. She was asked to visit her local police station, with the assurance that the police had already been informed.
Remarkably, she went to the CR Park police station while still on a video call with the scammers and even allowed them to speak directly to the station house officer. According to her statement, the callers spoke rudely to police personnel.
It was only after reaching the police station that Dr. Indra Taneja realized the devastating truth: there was no refund, no investigation, and the entire story was fabricated. The couple had lost their life savings worth ₹14.85 crore.
The matter was reported to the National Cyber Crime Helpline number 1930, after which an e-FIR was registered. Delhi Police has taken up the case and further transferred the investigation to the Special Cell's cyber unit, the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO).
The couple is said to be deeply shaken after losing their life savings accumulated over decades of distinguished service in the medical field and international organizations.
The probe is ongoing, and the suspects are yet to be identified. A case has been registered with the Special Cell as investigators work to track down the perpetrators of this elaborate fraud.
(Rh/VK/MSM)
