Haryana is the first state to have dual-OTP authentication for fund transfer by senior citizens. Its results may shape national policy

CONSIDER a person who dedicates decades to working and serving the nation and family, saving every rupee carefully, retiring with pride, owning a modest home, only to have his hard-earned lifelong savings wiped out by a single phone call. This is a lived reality across India for thousands of senior citizens who are targeted by cyber criminals, exploiting technology for financial theft.

Recognising these threats, the Supreme Court has summoned the Reserve Bank of India and major banks, labelling the crime as “absolute robbery.” The Prime Minister also highlighted the issue in one of his episodes of Mann Ki Baat.

The financial and human toll of the crime is staggering. The scale of the issue is significant. Digital arrest fraud, where scammers pose as law enforcement officers on video calls to extort money, has spread nationwide. No law or recognised authority allows individuals to be “arrested” via a video call. In 2024, as many as 1,23,000 digital arrest fraud cases were officially reported, resulting in financial losses of Rs 1,935 crore — almost triple the losses suffered in 2022. Across all types of digital fraud, more than Rs 54,000 crore was reported lost from April 2021 to November 2025.

As DGP of the Haryana Police, I reviewed the issue with all stakeholders. We concluded that halting immediate fund transfers was essential.

These scams are highly organised, led by international criminal networks. Victims receive calls from people impersonating authorities from the TRAI, CBI, ED, FedEx, Customs or the police. The caller usually claims that the victim’s Aadhaar card has been misused, that a suspicious parcel bears their name, or that a linked bank account has received illegal funds. An arrest warrant, they warn, has been issued — but the matter can be “resolved quietly” if the victim cooperates and, if secrecy is maintained.

The word ‘confidential’ is weaponised with surgical intent. Isolating the victim from the family is the very cornerstone of the scheme. A frightened older adult, alone and too ashamed to reach out to his or her children, can be held captive in front of a screen for days. In one Gurugram case, a victim was kept on a video call for 10 consecutive days and Rs 79 lakh was transferred across 40 mule accounts — money that vanished within minutes through a “dark room” overseas mafia operated remotely out of Taiwan.

Investigations have also traced these networks to Cambodia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Vietnam, and China. Covert operations by the Haryana Police’s cyber wing have uncovered startling findings: last year, 4,500 people from Haryana alone travelled to Thailand under suspicious circumstances, with evidence pointing to forged passports, donkey routes and organised scam centres where young Indians are trafficked and coerced into cyber slavery.

Haryana is not merely a passive victim. Several regions within the state have become active nodes in a nationwide cybercrime network. Areas such as Nuh, Bhiwani, Palwal, Hatangaon, Manota and Hasanpur have emerged as significant centres of cybercrime. Gurugram, due to its extensive financial infrastructure, serves as both a primary target for high-value fraud and a base for organised criminal operations.

A 24-year-old woman from Gujarat was recently apprehended at the Delhi airport for operating from Cambodia for a Chinese-run syndicate, which maintains a direct connection to the digital arrest racket. To counter this, the Haryana Police have mounted a multi-faceted response: nine recruiters channelling youth into Southeast Asian scams have been arrested, 35 FIRs filed in deportation-linked cases, many SIMs blocked and devices tracked, and mule accounts dismantled. Active operations against overseas networks continue.

The damage from these crimes underscores the need for stronger solutions. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, digital arrest scams in Haryana resulted in losses of Rs 10.78 crore — with HDFC Bank customers losing Rs 3.63 crore, Bank of Baroda customers Rs 2.13 crore and SBI customers losing Rs 1.71 crore. Records show that most victims are senior citizens. Their trust in authority — not naivety — makes them vulnerable. Having grown up respecting institutions, they view the uniform as a symbols of safety. Their accumulated savings and isolation when contacted make them prime targets for fraudsters.

A review of hundreds of cases shows that isolation is the common thread behind these scams’ success. If any trusted contact intervenes, the scam usually fails — criminals are thwarted when secrecy or fear is broken.

This understanding has led to India’s first dual-OTP authentication for senior citizens. It is an effort by the Haryana Police in collaboration with HDFC Bank. Similar collaborations with more banks are likely to follow. It’s a simple, transformative solution that immediately stalls large money transfers.

For transfers of Rs 1 lakh or more by senior citizens, a second OTP is sent to both the account holder and a trusted family member. Funds are transferred only after both codes are entered, preventing fraudsters from bypassing family alerts: “Your father/mother is attempting to transfer Rs 3 lakh. Currently, seniors aged 60 and above can enrol voluntarily. Making it mandatory for those aged 75 and above is under consideration. Haryana is the first state with this model, and its results may shape national policy.

Dual-OTP authentication is a part of a broader, multi-layered strategy. Each police official keeps a list of at least 60 senior citizens in his/her respective beat and directly educates them about current scam techniques. Bank staff — often the last line of defence — are being trained to spot and report large withdrawals by elder customers.

The national cybercrime helpline, 1930, is available for reporting incidents and authorities state that prompt action has led to significant recoveries. Looking ahead, AI-powered alerts for unusual transactions may offer greater protection, but human vigilance remains crucial.

Family members must stay connected regularly with their elderly parents, beyond festivals and birthdays. Be aware of their banking activities, protect their passwords and remind them that no government agency ever arrests or demands money over video calls. Vigilance by police officials and bankers can protect senior citizens from major losses. Fraudsters thrive on secrecy. Families and law enforcement are now forming a united defence. Only collective action can help prevent cybercrime.