Courier call turns into WhatsApp hack: How Kannada star Upendra and wife Priyanka fell victim to digital scam

Sandalwood couple Upendra and Priyanka Rao fell victim to a sophisticated cyber scam after a fraudulent delivery call led them to unknowingly hack their phones.

Updated on: Sep 16, 2025, 11:15:54 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

In a chilling reminder of how fast digital fraud is evolving, Sandalwood power couple Upendra Rao and Priyanka Upendra fell prey to a sophisticated cyber scam that left even their closest family and friends misled.

Upendra and his wife contacted the cyber helpline 1930, alerted their followers on social media. (X/@nimmaupendra)

What appeared to be a harmless courier-related call quickly escalated into a nightmare, exposing how a single dialled code can hand over full control of a mobile phone to fraudsters.

The incident began when Priyanka, expecting a delivery from a Dubai-based online platform, received a call around 10 am from a man claiming to be an executive associated with the order, Times of India reported.

(Also Read: Karnataka sees hundreds of cybercrime cases in one day, Bengaluru reports most: A deep dive - Report )

He convinced her to dial a code, 219279295167#, assuring her it would help the delivery agent locate her address. “I initially suspected, but in chaos, I followed the instructions of the fraudster. I put the code and dialled. My iPhone got hacked. I thought it was hanging and immediately took Uppi’s phone and input the same code. His phone also got hacked,” Priyanka recalled according to the publication.

Even the couple’s staff member, Mahadeva, who lent his phone in a bid to help, ended up compromised. All three devices had their calls forwarded to the fraudster’s number, allowing him to install WhatsApp on their accounts and message their contacts.

The scam unfolded with a simple but effective script. From Priyanka’s WhatsApp account, the fraudster texted: “Hi, needed some help pls.” Once recipients replied, the follow-up read: “There will be 55k in your account now? I will return in just 2 hrs. My UPI is not working properly. It's very urgent now.

At least four people, including the couple’s son and his friends, fell for the deception and transferred money via UPI. “My son thought his mother was in some need and transferred the money immediately,” Upendra explained.

Realising the scale of the fraud, the couple sprang into action. They contacted the cyber helpline 1930, alerted their followers on social media, and filed a formal complaint at Sadashivanagar police station.

Priyanka admitted the lapse, “It was my mistake to dial the code. Yesterday, I saw someone dub my voice using AI and discussed it with Uppi. The fraudsters may also send phishing links and create fake social media accounts.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest City News, local updates, weather alerts and breaking stories from Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and other major cities across India on Hindustan Times.