Bihar BJP MLA's phone hacked; fraudsters demand ₹28,000 from contacts
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The mobile number of Rana Randhir Singh, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Madhuban in East Champaran, Bihar, was allegedly hacked by cybercriminals who then used the compromised number to solicit money from his contacts, according to reports on 16 May. The fraudsters sent messages impersonating the legislator, requesting urgent online transfers of ₹28,000.
How the Fraud Unfolded
After gaining access to the MLA's number, the accused sent messages to his contacts reading: 'I need a small favour — it's urgent. Could you make an online payment of ₹28,000?' The messages included a bank account number, a mobile number, and a name to facilitate the transfer — a hallmark of impersonation-based cyber fraud.
Officials suspect the fraudsters deliberately targeted the MLA's network of acquaintances and supporters, calculating that personal familiarity would lower the recipients' guard and improve the odds of a successful deception.
MLA Alerts Authorities and Public
Upon discovering the breach, Rana Randhir Singh promptly notified the Motihari Superintendent of Police (SP), the Pakaridayal DSP, and the Madhuban Police Station. He also took to social media to warn his contacts, stating clearly that any financial request appearing to originate from his number should be disregarded entirely and that no transaction should be made on the basis of such messages.
Investigation Under Way
The police, working alongside the Cyber Cell, have launched an investigation to identify the perpetrators and establish the method used to compromise the number. Authorities are yet to make any arrests in this specific case.
This comes amid a broader pattern of cybercrime activity in the region. On 15 April, East Champaran police dismantled an international cyber fraud network operating under the Kalyanpur police station area, with links reportedly extending beyond India's borders. Four accused were arrested in that operation; according to officials, they were part of a well-organised racket that paid its members a 10 per cent commission on defrauded amounts and allegedly coordinated with cybercriminals based in Pakistan.
The Wider Cyber Threat in Bihar
The targeting of a sitting legislator underscores a troubling escalation in the sophistication and audacity of cyber fraud operations in Bihar. Authorities are urging citizens across the state to independently verify any urgent financial request — even when it appears to come from a known contact — before making any payment. The incident is the latest in a series of high-profile cyber fraud cases that have put law enforcement in the state on heightened alert.