Vidya Malavade, Anup Soni to Sonu Sood: 7 Times Celebrities Called Out Digital Scams and Bizarre Incidents
From fake arrest calls and AI-generated impersonations to missing deliveries and outrageous bills, even celebrities have found themselves at the receiving end of scams and questionable experiences. While some narrowly escaped fraud, others took to social media to call out what went wrong. Here are seven incidents that caught public attention.
*Vidya Malavade’s answer to a scammer? A candle over a con*
When a caller threatened to disconnect Vidya Malavade’s electricity despite her having paid the bill, the proposed solution was to download an app. Vidya had a better idea: she’d rather manage with a candle than risk emptying her bank account.
The subject is particularly relevant to Vidya, who plays Priya Sharma, a woman caught in a digital arrest scam in Scam 2024 – The Digital Arrest Story on Story TV.
*When scammers borrowed Sonu Sood’s face to fool a family*
Sonu Sood’s reputation for helping people became an unlikely tool for fraudsters. The actor shared a deepfake video call brought to his attention by a follower, in which an impersonator posing as him appeared to promise financial assistance to a family seeking help for medical treatment.
Given the goodwill Sonu earned while helping stranded migrants and families during the pandemic, the impersonation was particularly concerning. He urged people to remain vigilant, reminding everyone that even a familiar face on video isn’t always genuine.
*Anup Soni’s voice cloned for a betting scam*
The voice audiences associate with Crime Patrol was itself used for a scam. In May 2024, Anup Soni flagged a viral video featuring edited clips from the show and an AI-generated version of his voice promoting match betting through Telegram.
The actor clarified that the video was fake and warned people against trusting such content, highlighting how easily AI can make fraudulent promotions appear credible.
*Prosenjit Chatterjee’s food order that went nowhere*
After placing a Swiggy order on November 3, Prosenjit Chatterjee was surprised to see it marked ‘delivered’ despite never receiving his food. Three days later, he posted an open letter tagging the Prime Minister and West Bengal Chief Minister.
The complaint sparked online discussion, with one user even joking that the United Nations should intervene. Prosenjit’s concern was simple: unlike a delayed garment delivery, food is time-sensitive. While not a confirmed cybercrime, the incident raised questions about accountability in app-based services.
*When a fake arrest call put Vineet Raina’s mother on edge*
Vineet Raina’s mother received a call claiming he had been arrested, followed by a WhatsApp video call featuring a man in uniform. Unable to reach Vineet, who was shooting in an area with poor network connectivity, she relied on what he had previously taught her about digital scams and AI-generated impersonations. She stayed calm until he called back to reassure her.
Vineet plays a suspended police officer investigating a criminal network in Scam 2024 – The Digital Arrest Story. Also starring Vidya Malavade, the series is streaming exclusively on the Story TV App.
*Soni Razdan’s brush with the ‘drugs-in-a-parcel’ scam*
Imagine receiving a call from Delhi Customs accusing you of ordering illegal drugs. That is what happened to Soni Razdan when a fraudster posing as a Customs official allegedly demanded her Aadhaar number and money while threatening police action.
Soni shared the experience on Instagram, tagged Mumbai Police and warned followers against falling for such threats. Her post showed how easily official-sounding calls can create panic.
*Rahul Bose and the bananas that cost a small fortune*
Two bananas. One luxury hotel. A bill of Rs 442.50.
In July 2019, Rahul Bose shared a video questioning the charge for two bananas billed as a ‘fruit platter’. His post went viral, and the Chandigarh Excise and Taxation Department fined the hotel Rs 25,000 for charging tax on GST-exempt fresh fruit. The incident even prompted another user to share a Rs 1,700 bill for two boiled eggs at a different luxury hotel and ask Rahul if another protest was due.