Cyberabad Police Warns of Fake Social Media Profiles Used for Financial Fraud; Issues Do’s and Don’ts

Cyberabad Police have issued an urgent public advisory warning citizens about a sharp rise in financial frauds carried out through fake social media profiles impersonating police officers, bankers and government officials. The alert, released on January 10, comes amid a surge in complaints from Hyderabad’s suburban regions, where victims have lost substantial sums after responding to seemingly legitimate online requests.

According to the police, fraudsters are creating convincing fake profiles on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and WhatsApp by copying real names, profile photos, official logos and even verified-style layouts. These impersonators then approach victims with urgent requests for money, often claiming emergencies, legal trouble or account-related issues.

How the Fake Profile Scam Works

Scammers typically scrape publicly available images and information of senior officials and professionals to build trust. Victims receive direct messages asking for immediate financial help through UPI apps such as GPay or PhonePe. In many cases, small initial payments are followed by repeated demands under new pretexts, trapping victims in a cycle of emotional manipulation.

Cyber officials say the growing use of deepfake voice notes and video calls has made these scams even harder to detect. Poor personal financial tracking and informal digital habits often delay detection - a gap that professionals note can be reduced through disciplined financial practices and proper bookkeeping services in india, which help individuals and organisations quickly spot suspicious transactions.

Cyberabad Police Do’s and Don’ts

Police have urged citizens to strictly follow these precautions:

Don’ts

• Do not send money based on social media messages, even if they appear to be from officials

• Do not accept friend or follow requests from duplicate or suspicious profiles

• Do not share OTPs, banking details or identity documents

• Do not click on links sent through unsolicited or urgent messages

Do’s

• Verify accounts through official websites or direct phone calls

• Check for genuine blue-tick verification carefully

• Block and report fake profiles immediately on social media platforms

• Report fraud attempts to the cybercrime helpline 1930 or via cybercrime.gov.in

Rising Impersonation Threat in Hyderabad

Cyberabad Police said impersonation-based scams now account for a significant portion of cyber fraud cases in the region. Fraudsters increasingly exploit public trust in authority figures, particularly during emergencies or financial stress. Authorities are coordinating with social media companies to speed up takedowns and deploying AI tools to detect fake accounts faster.

Enforcement and Public Awareness

Police confirmed that multiple cases have been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the IT Act. Awareness drives, WhatsApp broadcasts and local outreach programmes are being intensified to ensure citizens recognise and report such scams early.

Officials reiterated that no government authority or bank will ever demand money through social media messages, and urged citizens to pause, verify and report before responding to any such communication.