Phones of Kannada actor Upendra and wife Priyanka hacked, hackers seeking money from their contacts

Kannada film actor and director Upendra and his wife Priyanka Upendra have filed a complaint with the Sadashiva Nagar police in Bengaluru stating that their mobile phones were hacked to send messages to their contacts seeking financial help.

Many of their friends and relatives received messages seeking money transfer through UPI, citing an emergency, with a promise to return the amount within a couple of hours.

Ms. Priyanka told the media that she had received a message claiming an order could not be delivered due to some problem. She was told to dial a number containing symbols.

Both Priyanka and Upendra attempted to call the number from their phones after which their devices were compromised and blocked.

Many of their friends and relatives transferred money.

To prevent further damage, the couple went live on social media requesting people not to respond to such fraudulent requests.

“A message came to my wife Priyanka’s phone… we dialled from Priyanka’s phone and then from mine too. Both our phones got hacked,” Upendra explained.

Priyanka also appealed to people stating: “My phone and Uprendra’s phones have been hacked. Some people are asking for money through UPI. We appeal to everyone not to send any money.”