Techie Husband Installs Malware, Tracks Estranged Wife For 6 Months In Bengaluru

Last Updated:January 28, 2026, 15:39 IST

Investigation suggests that the husband had been monitoring the woman’s phone for 6 months. He allegedly tracked her movements in real time and kept tabs on her communications.

Police believe the malware was installed without the woman’s knowledge and remained active on her phone for an extended period. Image: Canva

Cybercrime cases in Bengaluru often begin with a feeling rather than proof. A message arrives too quickly. A location is known too precisely. A private conversation is referenced without ever being shared.

In one such case now under investigation, that uneasy pattern led a woman to uncover months of digital surveillance carried out by someone she once trusted the most.

The case was registered at the Central Bengaluru CEN Crime Police Station following a complaint by a woman who is currently living separately from her husband due to marital disputes. The couple is also involved in an ongoing divorce petition.

Over time, the woman began noticing that her estranged husband appeared to know details about her daily movements, phone calls, and even private conversations that she had never disclosed to him.

According to the complaint, the repeated coincidences became difficult to ignore. The husband allegedly showed up at places she visited and referred to conversations she had only held on her phone. This raised serious concerns about how he was accessing such information.

Malware Found on the Phone

Suspicious that her mobile phone had been compromised, the woman got her device examined by technical experts. The inspection revealed that spyware or malware had been installed on the phone.

Investigators said the software allowed remote access to the device, enabling the accused to monitor calls, messages, location data, photo galleries, and even activate the phone’s camera and microphone.

Police believe the malware was installed without the woman’s knowledge and remained active on her phone for an extended period.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the husband had been monitoring the woman’s phone for nearly six months. During this period, he allegedly tracked her movements in real time and kept tabs on her communications.

Police said the information gathered through the spyware was allegedly used to harass the woman and exert psychological pressure. In some instances, the husband reportedly confronted her with details that could only have come from direct access to her phone.

Police Action and Charges

Based on the complaint and technical findings, the Central Bengaluru CEN Crime Police registered a case against the husband. He has been booked under provisions of the Information Technology Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to stalking, unauthorised access to electronic devices, and violation of privacy.

Investigators are now examining how the accused gained access to the phone to install the malware. Police are also probing whether any third-party technical assistance was involved and if similar software has been used in other cases linked to domestic disputes.

A Growing Concern in Domestic Cases

Police officials said the case reflects a rising trend of stalker ware being misused in personal relationships, particularly during marital conflicts. Such software, often disguised as harmless apps, can run silently in the background, making detection difficult for regular users.

Authorities noted that many victims remain unaware of surveillance until patterns become too obvious to ignore.

Following the case, police issued an advisory urging citizens to take digital privacy seriously. They advised people not to leave phones unattended with individuals they do not fully trust, to regularly review installed applications, and to avoid clicking on suspicious links. Using strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication were also recommended.

As the investigation continues, the case serves as a reminder that privacy violations today are not always visible, and digital abuse can be as intrusive as physical stalking.

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