Fake social media accounts of Jayanagar MLA used to cheat public

The South Division Cybercrime Police have registered an FIR against an unknown person for misusing the name and identity of Jayanagar MLA, C.K. Ramamurthy, to create social media accounts to cheat people.

Based on a complaint filed by Mr. Ramamurthy, the police registered a case regarding misuse of social media platforms for cheating and spreading false information, on Tuesday.

According to the complaint, fake Facebook and Instagram accounts were created using his name and photographs without his consent. These fake accounts were allegedly used to contact the public and other individuals, seeking money under false pretences and sending misleading and abusive messages.

The accused reportedly sent false, defamatory and objectionable messages through these fake social media profiles, causing financial loss to victims and damage to the complainant’s reputation, dignity and social standing.

According to Mr. Ramamurthy, the hackers sent “good morning” messages to a woman. He later told the media that the act was aimed at damaging his political career.

It is further alleged that the fake Facebook and Instagram accounts were misused to collect money illegally, thereby causing serious harm to public trust and the complainant’s personal image.

The police on Wednesday took cognisance under section 66D (cheating by personation using computer resources) of the IT Act and investigations are under way to trace the accused.

A police officer said that this was a common type of fraud which came under identity theft, where cyber criminals used the names of prominent personalities to dupe gullible people.