Bengaluru — Rajya Sabha MP and Infosys Foundation Chairperson Sudha Murty was targeted by a cyber fraudster who threatened to misuse her mobile number to circulate obscene content. Police confirmed that an FIR has been registered and an investigation is in progress to trace the accused.
Fraudulent Call Claiming to Be From Telecom Ministry
On September 5 at around 9:40 am, Sudha Murty received a call from a person posing as a Telecom Ministry official. The caller alleged that her number was being used to broadcast obscene videos and would be disconnected by noon unless she followed their instructions.
When verified on Truecaller, the number falsely appeared as belonging to the Department of Telecom, making the scam more believable. Police said the caller tried to obtain her personal information under the guise of a digital security alert.
Threats of Digital Misuse
The fraudster claimed Murty’s number, registered in 2020, was not linked to her Aadhaar card. He threatened to circulate pornographic videos using her number if she did not comply. This approach matches the rising trend of “digital arrest” scams, where criminals impersonate government agencies to intimidate victims into sharing personal or financial data.
- Date of call: September 5, 2025
- Complainant: B. Ganapathy, 65, filed complaint on behalf of Sudha Murty
- FIR booked under: Sections 66C, 66D, 84C of the IT Act
- Status: Police laid a trap and are tracing the fraudster
Complaint and Legal Action
A formal complaint was lodged on September 20 by B. Ganapathy on behalf of Murty at the Bengaluru Cyber Crime Police Station. The case was registered against an unidentified person under provisions of the IT Act for identity theft, cheating, and attempted offences.
Investigation and Police Statement
A senior officer from Bengaluru Cyber Crime Police said the accused attempted to exploit a sitting MP through intimidation and impersonation. “The accused tried to scare the MP with a fake digital arrest threat. Our team is tracing the communications and will bring the accused to justice,” the officer stated.
Investigators have secured the fraudster’s phone number and are coordinating with telecom service providers to identify its origin.
Broader Concerns
Authorities have flagged the case as a serious cyber fraud attempt against a high-profile individual. The incident highlights the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals who spoof caller IDs, impersonate officials, and exploit fear of government action to trick people into revealing sensitive details.
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