The hackers demanded 22,000 through UPI transfers, promising to return the amount within a few hours.
The incident unfolded when Priyanka received a suspicious message about an undelivered order. It instructed her to call a number containing symbols. Both Priyanka and Upendra attempted to call from their phones, which resulted in their devices being compromised.
Cybercrime Incident
In response to the hacking incident, Upendra took to social media to warn people against falling for such scams. "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," he explained during a live session.
Priyanka also addressed the public, urging them not to send any money. She stated: "My phone and Uppi's phone have been hacked. Some people are asking for money through UPI. We appeal to everyone not to send any money. That's not us."
Police Involvement
The couple has taken formal action by filing a complaint with the police regarding this cybercrime incident. They hope that this will lead to an investigation and prevent others from falling victim to similar scams.
Upendra is celebrated for his roles in films like Mukunda Murari, Upendra Matte Baa, I Love You, and Home Minister. Meanwhile, Priyanka has made her mark in Kannada cinema and has appeared in Tamil and Bengali films as well. She also had a special role in the Kannada film Gowri (2024).
This unfortunate event serves as a reminder of the growing threat of cybercrime and the importance of vigilance when dealing with suspicious messages or calls.