Scamsters target Karnataka Deputy Lokayukta, alert retired High Court judge files FIR

Bengaluru: A shocking cyber fraud attempt has come to light involving Karnataka Deputy Lokayukta and retired High Court judge Justice KN Phaneendra, who was targeted by scammers posing as officials of the Data Protection Board of India.

The 67-year-old judge lodged a police complaint on July 9 after being contacted by two individuals claiming his Aadhaar details were linked to illegal activities.

The fraudsters, introducing themselves as Deepak Kumar Sharma and Rahul Kumar Sharma, alleged they were senior and junior legal consultants, respectively, with the Data Protection Board. They tried to coerce Justice Phaneendra into believing that his mobile number and Aadhaar were being used for criminal acts.

Remaining unfazed, the judge demanded official documentation and subsequently reported the matter to the Central CEN Police Station in Bengaluru.

Police confirmed the extortion attempt and noted that such scams are becoming increasingly frequent.

Cybercriminals are impersonating enforcement officials — CBI, police, GST, and NCB — to scare victims into compliance. The psychological pressure tactic has already claimed many victims, with some even pushed to suicide.

A particularly tragic incident occurred in March when a senior couple in Belagavi, Karnataka, allegedly ended their lives after losing Rs 50 lakh in a similar scam.

According to the 2024 data from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), cyber frauds in Karnataka led to losses totaling Rs 2,915 crore across 6.11 lakh registered cases. This marks a staggering fourfold jump from 2023’s figure of Rs 660 crore.

Experts warn that the rise in such digital crimes reflects not just the reach of technology but the urgent need for public awareness, swift investigation, and robust digital safeguards.