Sri Vijaya Puram, July 20: Andaman and Nicobar Police have issued a public advisory following a sudden rise in WhatsApp impersonation scams in which fraudsters are posing as senior government officials, elected representatives and other dignitaries to deceive government employees and private individuals into transferring money or purchasing items online.
According to the advisory, scammers are creating WhatsApp accounts using photographs and profile details of high-ranking government officials, elected representatives and other prominent individuals to make their identities appear genuine. Using these fake profiles, they initiate conversations with targeted individuals and attempt to gain their confidence before making financial requests.
Police said the fraudsters use various excuses while communicating with victims and ask them to transfer money or purchase gifts and other items online on their behalf. The advisory cautioned that such requests are fraudulent and urged the public not to act on them without proper verification.
The police have appealed to government employees as well as members of the public to remain alert while interacting with unknown WhatsApp numbers. Citizens have been advised to exercise extreme caution before responding to messages claiming to originate from senior officials or public representatives, particularly when they involve financial transactions or online purchases.
Highlighting the growing misuse of digital communication platforms for cyber fraud, the advisory urged people to verify the identity of the sender before responding to any request involving money or purchases. Police stressed the importance of remaining vigilant against attempts to misuse the names and identities of prominent individuals to commit online fraud.
The advisory also encouraged citizens to report such incidents through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or by contacting the toll-free Cyber Helpline Number 1930. Prompt reporting, police said, can assist authorities in taking timely action against cyber fraud.
Andaman and Nicobar Police further urged the public to follow its official social media platforms, including Facebook, X and Instagram, to receive regular cyber safety advisories and updates on safe online behaviour.
