The rise of cybercrime is alarming both in Odisha and across India, as fraudsters employ increasingly advanced techniques to deceive individuals. Demonstrating that even prominent political figures are not immune, Prasanna Acharya, a senior leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, has recently become a victim of such a cyber attack.

In response to the incident, Acharya filed an official report at the Bhubaneswar Cyber Police Station. Following his complaint, the cyber police took swift action by disabling his hacked phone and advising him against any transactions on the device for the next 24 hours.

The Fraudster’s Tactics: A Courier Scam

Acharya recounted the events leading to the breach, stating that he received a call on Friday morning from someone claiming to be a courier delivery person. The caller informed him that a parcel was awaiting delivery from Delhi and requested his home address, stating that the delivery agent was having trouble finding his location. After he provided the information, his phone was compromised.

“Soon after the call, I started receiving inquiries from acquaintances,” Acharya said. “A person speaking in Hindi was using my mobile number and WhatsApp to send messages asking for financial help, claiming that I was in danger. Fortunately, people who know me well immediately recognized it as the work of cyber fraudsters.”

Thanks to the fact that the scammer communicated in Hindi—a language Acharya seldom uses for personal conversations—his contacts quickly discerned the fraudulent activity. Consequently, the scammer failed to extract any money.

Call for Public Vigilance and Tech Caution

In light of the cyber attack, Acharya underscored the pressing need for heightened public awareness and caution regarding the use of digital devices.

“Since my bank accounts were not linked to that phone, the fraudster could not cause financial loss,” Acharya clarified. “As a politician, I receive frequent phone calls from various people speaking different languages, so I initially could not spot the fraudster during the incoming call. However, people know my speaking style and language, which prevented anyone from falling into their trap.”

Acharya cautioned that society’s increasing reliance on technology makes individuals more susceptible to digital crimes. “While science and technology have advanced and made us dependent, we must remain extra vigilant. We often use technological devices far beyond our actual needs, and we need to change this habit to protect ourselves,” he warned.