Cybercrime continues to surge across the state and country, with fraudsters using increasingly sophisticated methods to target citizens. Highlighting the reach of these cyber criminals, even senior political leaders are no longer safe. Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Prasanna Acharya, has become the latest high-profile victim of a cyber attack.
Following the incident, Acharya lodged an official complaint with the Bhubaneswar Cyber Police Station. Acting on his complaint, the cyber police disabled the compromised phone and advised him to refrain from conducting any transactions on the device for the next 24 hours.
The Fraudster’s Tactics: Courier Scam
Detailing the incident, Acharya revealed that he received a call on Friday morning claiming that a parcel from Delhi had arrived for him. The caller, posing as a courier delivery executive, asked for his home address, claiming the delivery agent was unable to locate his residence. Shortly after providing the details, his phone was compromised.
“Soon after the call, I started receiving inquiries from acquaintances,” Acharya stated. “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.”
Because the fraudster was speaking in Hindi—a language Acharya rarely uses for personal communication—contacts quickly identified the fraudulent activity. As a result, the scammer was unsuccessful in collecting any money.
Call for Public Vigilance and Tech Caution
Reflecting on the cyber attack, the senior BJD leader emphasized the urgent need for public awareness and caution regarding digital devices.
“Since my bank accounts were not linked to that phone, the fraudster could not cause financial loss,” Acharya explained. “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 warned that society’s growing dependence on technology makes individuals increasingly vulnerable 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 added.
