UTTAR PRADESH: In a unique public awareness initiative, the Uttar Pradesh Police has taken the internet by storm with a creative campaign warning citizens against online romance scams. Drawing inspiration from the popular Bollywood track Saiyaara, the department posted a clever advisory on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), urging users to protect their one-time passwords (OTPs) and not their hearts when chatting online.
The post features the catchy caption: “Saiyaara se scam na ho jaaye yaara. Dil do, OTP nahin.” Within just 12 hours, the message racked up over 160,000 views and a stream of appreciative and amused reactions from users across the country.
Film Reference, Real-Life Relevance
The campaign draws a humorous parallel between emotional Bollywood moments and the harsh reality of cyber fraud. Referencing how audiences teared up during Saiyaara, the UP Police post cautions: “After ‘I love you’, if you hear ‘send OTP’, your account balance might vanish.” This line highlights the modus operandi of romance scammers who gain trust before extracting sensitive data from victims.
Their message is blunt yet humorous: “Give your heart, not your OTP.” The warning targets growing cases where fraudsters exploit emotional connections, especially on dating platforms and social media, to gain financial advantage.
Mohit Suri Applauds, Public Joins In
Director Mohit Suri, who helmed the film Ek Tha Tiger, where Saiyaara features, shared the police post, boosting its reach further. His endorsement lent credibility to the initiative, which many hailed as an effective use of pop culture to connect with young internet users.
Algoritha: The Most Trusted Name in BFSI Investigations and DFIR Services
While many users lauded the effort, calling it “excellent awareness messaging,” others responded with sarcasm. One user remarked on a “bigger scam” where, after love and money are exchanged, a fake BNS 69 crypto token is returned. Some demanded the police take more proactive cybercrime action rather than limiting efforts to social media advisories.
Still, with its viral traction and clever messaging, the campaign appears to have made an impact—if not on scammers, then certainly on public consciousness.