Popular Kannada actor Upendra Rao and his wife Priyanka Upendra Rao recently became victims of cybercrime. Both their mobile phones were hacked by fraudsters, who then used their numbers to demand money from family and friends. The shocking incident has raised questions about online safety and the increasing risk of digital fraud in India.

How Priyanka’s phone was hacked

According to reports, the issue began after Priyanka made an online purchase from a Dubai-based e-commerce site. She later received a call from a person pretending to be a delivery executive. The fraudster claimed that the delivery partner was unable to find her address and asked her to dial a code on her phone.

The moment she entered the code, her phone got hacked. Priyanka thought it was just a technical issue and, without realising, repeated the same step on her husband Upendra’s phone. This gave the hackers access to both their devices.

Fraudsters demand money through WhatsApp

After gaining control, the hackers activated WhatsApp using their numbers and began messaging contacts. The messages started with “Hi, needed some help pls” and later asked for ₹55,000, promising to return it in two hours.

Believing the messages to be genuine, their son and three other contacts transferred ₹55,000 each, falling prey to the scam.

Family realises the fraud

Once the couple noticed suspicious activity and that their phones were not reachable, they understood it was a fraud. Upendra revealed that even their son thought Priyanka was in urgent need and transferred the money quickly through UPI.

The family immediately approached the police, who have started investigating the matter. Authorities have also requested the public to be more cautious while dealing with unknown numbers and suspicious codes.

Digital fraud on the rise

This incident is yet another example of how cybercriminals are using new tricks to target people. According to cyber experts, such scams are becoming very common, and people should never dial unknown codes or share OTPs. Before sending money to any request, it is advised to call and confirm directly with the person.

Conclusion

The hacking of Upendra and Priyanka’s phones shows how one small mistake can lead to a big scam. The couple’s experience is a reminder for everyone to be alert in the digital world. Cybercrime is rising, but with awareness and caution, people can protect themselves from falling into such traps.