Earlier this year, a 78-year-old man in Noida spent 15 harrowing days under what cyber experts now call “digital arrest”. Scammers, posing as officials from TRAI, the police, the CBI, and even the Supreme Court, convinced him he was entangled in a money-laundering case.
What began with a simple call about verifying an old mobile number quickly spiralled into threats of frozen bank accounts, fake court summons, and video calls with impersonators. Terrified of arrest and public humiliation, he transferred Rs 3.14 crore into what they called a “Secret Supervision Account” — believing it was only for verification, and it would be returned.
For two weeks, he and his 71-year-old wife lived under surveillance via constant video calls, and were allowed only basic routines. A fake Supreme Court order briefly gave him hope, but when the money never returned, he realised he had been defrauded. The case is now with Noida cyber police.
Why seniors are targeted
According to Safer Internet India’s ‘Understanding Senior Citizens’ Experience with Online Fraud, a survey based assessment (2025), cybercrimes against seniors jumped by 86 per cent between 2020 and 2022. NCRB data confirms a rise in phishing scams, fake ads, and government impersonation cases, often targeting retired officials with substantial savings.
Three main factors make seniors vulnerable:
- Cognitive decline and lack of digital literacy.
- Loneliness and isolation, leading to misplaced trust.
- Financial stability, with large funds at hand.
Jake Moore, global cybersecurity advisor at ESET, told indianexpress.com: “Scams today are designed to exploit trust and urgency. Seniors may not always recognise new-age tricks like deepfake voices or phishing websites, which makes them easy prey. Common scams include phishing, romance scams, government impersonation, and grandparent scams, where criminals pose as relatives in trouble.”
What are the common scams that target the elderly?
According to cybersecurity researcher and founder of Webhack Solutions, Arya Tyagi, and Ankush Tiwari, founder and CEO of pi-labs following scams target the elderly the most:
Digital arrest: Victims trapped in fake video calls, forced into “online custody” while extorted.
Investment frauds: False promises of high returns via fake apps or websites.
Cyber sextortion: Morphed or secretly recorded videos used for blackmail.
Deepfakes and voice clones: AI-generated clips of family members trick victims into sending money.
Fake raids and impersonation: Scammers pose as tax or police officers, threatening action.
OTPs for KYC: Fraudsters trick victims into sharing OTPs, draining bank accounts.
“These scams thrive on fear and urgency,” said Tiwari, adding, “Unlike digital natives, seniors often can’t identify deepfakes or phishing techniques. Stronger systemic protections — like real-time spam call detection and awareness drives — are essential.”
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Safety tips for senior citizens
Senior citizens need to be extra cautious while navigating the internet, as many scams thrive on trust and fear. Avoid oversharing personal information online and never place blind faith in unknown people, since fraudsters often misuse familiar names to gain confidence. Be vigilant about links—always scan suspicious ones on platforms like VirusTotal before opening—and steer clear of downloading unsolicited files such as wedding or birthday invitations sent from unknown numbers, which are common carriers of malware. Above all, remember the golden rule: do not trust any unsolicited phone call, SMS, or WhatsApp message without verifying it first.
Red flags to watch out for
Recognising red flags is the first step towards staying safe. Seniors should be alert to “any urgent demand for money or personal information, calls claiming a relative is in trouble, requests for OTPs or bank details, or threats of police summons and digital arrest.” In such moments, experts stress, the best response is to pause, verify with trusted family members, or cross-check through official channels instead of panicking.
The role of banks, telecoms and families
“Banks and telecom providers are critical in building the first line of defence,” said Tiwari. “For instance, Airtel already flags suspected spam calls and messages, warning users before they engage. Expanding such safeguards across networks can significantly reduce fraud attempts. Community groups, resident welfare associations, and local senior forums can also play a role by organising awareness sessions, sharing verified advisories, and acting as a support system.”
Above all, he said, “any digital call should always be verified first before taking any action.”
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Families, too, have a key role to play. Moore explained: “Protecting older people in the family calls for awareness and simple, repeatable habits. More tech-savvy family members should educate them to treat any unsolicited contact with suspicion and never to give out any personal information. They should also never send money via wire transfer, payment apps, or gift cards, as there’s no way of requesting it back in the event of fraud.” He added that on the technology side, “enabling multi-factor authentication, keeping devices updated, and running a trusted cybersecurity solution can mitigate risks.”
Anuj Khurana, co-founder and CEO of Anaptyss, highlighted how cybercriminals exploit deeper vulnerabilities: “Cyberattacks on the elderly exploit systemic trust gaps, including limited digital familiarity, deep reliance on authority, and the absence of continuous support networks. To counter this, financial institutions must embed advanced safeguards into their fraud frameworks, including AI-powered monitoring, behavioural analytics, geolocation intelligence, anomaly detection engines, and more to spot social engineering scams in real time.”
He also stressed that banks and telecom providers must strengthen fraud detection and speed up resolution mechanisms, while “community groups can work towards expanding awareness initiatives that help senior citizens recognise red flags, creating a stronger first line of defence.”
What to do if trapped?
– Cyber Crime Helpline (1930): It is suggested to report fraud immediately. Fast reporting increases the chances of freezing stolen funds and diverting the sum back to the victim’s account.
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– Cyber Crime Portal: The official complaint portal in India is ‘cybercrime.gov.in’, reporting the fraud with complete details.
– Visit nearest police station: It is advised to visit the nearest police station immediately if the person is unable to register a complaint online.
These frauds not only result in losing hard-earned money of the elders but they also chip away at dignity, peace of mind, and the sense of security they have built over a lifetime. Behind every case is a carefully planned attack that turns age and trust into vulnerabilities, leaving seniors with both financial loss and emotional scars.
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