Hyderabad – VC Sajjanar, Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad, has issued an urgent alert warning citizens about cyber fraudsters who have created fake Facebook accounts using his name to deceive people and extort money.
The fraudsters are sending messages to his friends and contacts claiming “I’m in trouble, please send money.” The scam has already resulted in financial losses, with one friend losing ₹20,000 after being deceived by the fake account.
Sajjanar shared his official Facebook page link and clarified that all other accounts using his name are fraudulent. The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Team is working with Meta to identify and remove these fake accounts.
The Commissioner emphasized that citizens should never respond to friend requests or messages asking for money from anyone claiming to be him or any public official. He urged people to always verify such requests by directly contacting the person through a phone call before taking any action.
This incident highlights a growing trend of cyber criminals impersonating well-known personalities and public officials on social media platforms to gain trust and commit fraud. The fraudsters typically create accounts with similar names and profile pictures to deceive victims.
Sajjanar provided specific safety guidelines for social media users:
- Block and report suspicious messages, links, or video calls immediately
- Never transfer money based on social media messages alone
- Always verify through direct phone calls before responding to urgent requests
- Check official verified accounts before trusting any communication
Citizens who encounter cyber fraud or suspicious activities are advised to report immediately to the 1930 Helpline or visit cybercrime.gov.in to file a complaint. Quick reporting can help authorities track down criminals and potentially recover lost funds.
The Commissioner concluded his alert with a crucial reminder: “Only alertness can protect us and our money from cyber criminals. Stay Alert. Stay Safe.”
The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Team continues to investigate the case and is working to identify the individuals behind these fraudulent accounts. Authorities are also coordinating with banking institutions to trace the transferred funds.
