A Bengaluru man was allegedly duped of ₹40,000 after cyber fraudsters created a fake Facebook profile of IPS officer M. Narayana and convinced him to purchase household items supposedly being sold by CRPF personnel.
Police have registered a case under the Information Technology Act and launched an investigation into what appears to be a wider impersonation racket targeting people connected to senior police officers.
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Fake Facebook Profile Used to Gain Trust
According to the complaint, 56-year-old Jahir Hussain of Banasawadi received a Facebook friend request from an account carrying the name and photograph of IPS officer M Narayana, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Electronics City Division.
Believing the profile to be genuine, Hussain accepted the request.
Soon after, the fraudster obtained his mobile number through Facebook messages and contacted him over the phone.
CRPF Transfer Story Used to Lure Victim
The caller claimed that a friend serving in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had been transferred to Kashmir and wanted to sell household belongings at a discounted price before relocating.
Trusting the officer’s identity, Hussain agreed to buy the items and was asked to transfer an advance payment through a QR code sent via WhatsApp.
He transferred ₹40,000 in multiple digital transactions.
Fraudsters Demanded More Money
After receiving the initial payment, the accused allegedly demanded additional money on various pretexts.
When Hussain refused, they reportedly began threatening him, prompting him to approach the police.
Police Probe Wider Cyber Fraud Network
Banasawadi Police have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act and initiated an investigation.
DCP M Narayana confirmed that fraudsters had created a fake Facebook profile using his name and photograph and had contacted several people from his network with the same fabricated story.
According to him, at least 10 people from Bengaluru, Karwar, Vijayapura, and other districts have reportedly fallen victim to the scam.
Police suspect the gang is operating from Rajasthan, and a special investigation team has been formed to trace the accused.
Police Issue Public Advisory
The senior IPS officer urged people not to trust social media messages or payment requests made in his name.
Police have advised citizens to verify social media profiles before accepting friend requests, confirm requests through known contact numbers, avoid making advance payments to unknown persons, and immediately report suspected cyber fraud through the national cyber helpline 1930 or the nearest police station.
Investigators also believe the gang may have created fake Facebook profiles of several other senior IPS officers to target unsuspecting victims.
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