Machilipatnam, Krishna District | August 6, 2026
An elderly couple from Machilipatnam in Krishna district lost approximately ₹1.43 crore after cyber fraudsters allegedly impersonated officials from the Delhi Police and other authorities, according to a complaint.
The fraud began when the victims received a phone call from people claiming to be officials. The fraudsters allegedly convinced the couple that their bank accounts and financial transactions were connected to a serious criminal investigation.
The callers reportedly used the threat of legal action to frighten the elderly victims and subsequently kept them under pressure while instructing them to transfer money.
According to the report, the couple transferred the money in three instalments from three different bank accounts between July 10 and July 29, 2026. The total amount transferred was around ₹1.43 crore.
The incident is believed to be part of a growing “digital arrest” style cybercrime, in which fraudsters impersonate police officers or government officials and threaten victims with arrest or legal proceedings unless they follow the criminals’ instructions.
After realising that they had been cheated, the victims approached the authorities and reported the incident. The case has highlighted the increasing threat posed by sophisticated cyber fraud targeting elderly people.
Cybercrime investigators are expected to examine the bank accounts used to receive the money, transaction records, phone numbers and other digital evidence to trace the persons involved.
The incident has also prompted renewed warnings about fake police calls, digital arrest scams and impersonation fraud. Police and cybercrime authorities repeatedly advise the public that genuine police or government officials do not demand money through phone calls or ask people to transfer funds to “verify” their bank accounts.
Key Details
- Location: Machilipatnam, Krishna District
- Victims: Elderly couple
- Fraud amount: Approximately ₹1.43 crore
- Type of crime: Cyber fraud / Digital arrest scam
- Fraudsters’ identity: Allegedly posed as Delhi Police officials
- Transactions: Three instalments
- Transaction period: July 10–29, 2026
- Reported: August 6, 2026
- Police action: Cybercrime investigation into the transactions and fraudsters