₹3 Crore for a Cabinet Post? Cyber Fraud Bid Targets Kerala Congress MLA

A bizarre cyber fraud attempt targeting a Kerala Congress MLA has triggered a police investigation after a scammer allegedly promised a ministerial post in exchange for ₹3 crore , exposing a new tactic being used by cyber criminals to exploit political figures.

According to police, Elathur MLA K Vidya Balakrishnan received a WhatsApp call on July 6 from a man identifying himself as Raj Kumar , claiming to be a staff member in the office of Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in New Delhi .

During the nearly 10-minute conversation , conducted in English, the caller allegedly claimed that a Cabinet reshuffle was likely to take place in Kerala and said the MLA could be inducted as a minister if she paid ₹3 crore . To make the claim appear credible, the caller further stated that she had been recommended by another MP from Kozhikode .

However, the unusual proposal immediately raised suspicion. After the call, Balakrishnan contacted the MP mentioned by the caller, who informed her that someone claiming to be from the AICC office had recently sought the contact details of her and another MLA.

The legislator then reached out directly to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's office , where officials confirmed that no employee by the name of Raj Kumar worked there, exposing the caller's identity as fraudulent.

Based on the MLA's complaint, the Kozhikode Cyber Police registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act .

Investigators said the call originated from New Delhi , and a suspect has been identified through the mobile number used. Police are now verifying whether the SIM card was obtained using forged identity documents.

A team from the Kozhikode Cyber Police is expected to travel to New Delhi as part of the ongoing investigation. Officials believe the probe will help determine whether the accused acted alone or was part of a larger cyber fraud network targeting public representatives.