Guwahati: The Assam Police has issued a warning against impersonation via WhatsApp in response to an increase in reports of unidentified fraudsters using well-known people’s profile photographs and names to defraud people by utilising various methods, including gift cards.
It has been stated that recent fraudsters exploited images of a chief minister from the northeast.
Talking about the modus operandi, the advisory as per a PTI report said that scammers create a fake profile for a senior official after obtaining unauthorised access to his contact list, and then send subordinates WhatsApp messages requesting that gift cards be bought or money transfers made to a specific account on his behalf.
According to the report, the scheme was used to pose as a New Delhi official, the chief minister and chief secretary of a state in the northeast, as well as a few IAS and IPS employees.
Avoid being duped by such emails or communications. According to the alert released on Tuesday, you should check with your superior officer before making any payments, purchases, or clicking on any links.
Additionally, the CID requested that anyone who received similar communications record screenshots for possible research purposes and report the WhatsApp number.
A compliant on cybercime.gov.in can also be filed, it added.
ADVISORY ISSUED IN PUBLIC INTEREST by @AssamCid regarding WhatsApp – Based Impersonation Attacks. @assampolice pic.twitter.com/aO6qDx5nlh
— GP Singh (@gpsinghips) July 25, 2022