Bengaluru, September 16, 2025 –
In a chilling reminder of the digital shadows lurking behind our screens, Kannada cinema icons Upendra Rao and Priyanka Upendra have become the latest high-profile victims of a sophisticated cyber fraud.
The couple’s phones were hacked on September 15, leading scammers to impersonate them and fleece their contacts – including their own son – out of an estimated Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh through urgent UPI demands. What started as a seemingly innocuous delivery alert has spiraled into a full-blown cybercrime investigation, underscoring the vulnerabilities even savvy celebrities face in today’s hyper-connected world.
The Deceptive Delivery Trap: How the Hack Unfolded
The ordeal began around 10 AM on Monday when Priyanka, expecting a package from Dubai, received a suspicious WhatsApp message claiming a delivery issue. The text urged her to dial a number embedded with unusual symbols – a classic phishing tactic designed to exploit phone forwarding codes. “It was my mistake to dial the code,” Priyanka later admitted, recounting how she followed the instructions by entering 29279295167# on her device.
This activated call forwarding, instantly compromising her phone.Upendra, sensing something amiss, tried calling the same number from his device to investigate – sealing their fate. Even their house help, Mahadeva, who lent his phone to assist, fell into the trap, resulting in three devices being hijacked. The fraudsters swiftly downloaded WhatsApp on cloned accounts, gaining access to the couple’s extensive contact lists.
From there, the scammers unleashed a barrage of messages: “Urgent! Need Rs 55,000 immediately – will return in two hours.” Posing as the stars in distress, they targeted family, friends, and even Upendra’s son, who wired money without hesitation, believing his mother was in dire need.
“My son thought his mother was in some need and transferred the money immediately through UPI,” Upendra shared in a raw, live video on X, his voice laced with frustration and urgency.
At least four people, including the son and two of his friends, fell for the ploy before the couple caught wind of the scheme.
From Shock to Swift Action: The Couple’s Response
Realizing the breach, Upendra wasted no time. He went live on social media, warning fans: “A message came to my wife Priyanka’s phone… we dialled from Priyanka’s phone and then from mine too, and both our phones got hacked.” The video, viewed thousands of times, pleaded: “Please don’t send money to anyone without verifying.” Priyanka echoed the sentiment, urging caution: “Do not send money to anyone without proper verification.”The duo immediately dialed the national cyber helpline 1930 and lodged a formal complaint at Bengaluru’s Sadashivanagar police station. Authorities have assured a thorough probe, with cybercrime officials tracing the fraudulent UPI accounts and the suspicious number. “We request people to be aware of such frauds and recover the money,” Priyanka added, emphasizing the importance of vigilance.
As of now, the couple is working to reclaim the lost funds and has alerted all contacts to ignore further messages.
Who Are Upendra and Priyanka? A Legacy Under Siege
Upendra Rao, 56, is a Sandalwood legend – actor, director, and screenwriter extraordinaire behind blockbusters like Upendra, Mukunda Murari, I Love You, and the recent Home Minister. Known for his innovative storytelling and bold social commentary, he’s a household name in Kannada cinema, blending satire with substance to captivate audiences.
Priyanka Upendra, his wife of over two decades, is no stranger to the spotlight either. A multilingual actress with credits in Kannada, Tamil, and Bengali films, she recently made a special appearance in the 2024 hit Gowri.
Together, they’ve built not just careers, but a family and a brand synonymous with resilience and creativity.This isn’t just a personal breach; it’s a stark invasion of their inner circle. “As per our information, about Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh has gone. We have to check if anyone else has sent money,” Upendra revealed, highlighting the scam’s ripple effect.
A Wake-Up Call: The Rising Tide of Digital Deception
This incident isn’t isolated. Cybercrimes in India have surged, with UPI frauds alone reporting over 1.2 million cases in 2024, according to the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C). Tactics like call forwarding hacks – often disguised as courier alerts or OTP requests – are increasingly common, preying on trust and urgency.
Cybersecurity experts warn: Never dial codes from unknown sources, avoid sharing OTPs, and verify suspicious messages through alternate channels.On X, the story has exploded, with users sharing tips and outrage. One post lamented, “Cyber criminals now selling identities! #SandalwoodScam,” while another advised, “Stay alert, never click on unknown links or numbers!”
2 sources Hashtags like #UpendraScam and #CyberCrimeAlert are trending, turning the couple’s misfortune into a public service announcement.
The Road Ahead: Justice, Awareness, and Digital Armor
As police hunt the perpetrators – believed to be part of a larger syndicate – Upendra and Priyanka’s ordeal serves as a grim lesson: In the age of smartphones, no one is untouchable. “The fraudsters are demanding Rs 55,000 from all our contacts,” Upendra noted, vowing to fight back.
Their quick response may have limited the damage, but the emotional toll lingers.For now, the focus is recovery and reform. Will this high-profile hack spur stronger safeguards from tech giants and lawmakers? Or will it fade into the flood of daily scams? One thing’s certain: Upendra and Priyanka, ever the fighters, are already scripting their comeback – this time, against invisible foes.What’s your take?
Have you encountered similar scams? Share safely below.
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