SHIMLA: Suspected cyber criminals have allegedly created a fake Instagram account of Himachal Pradesh Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and are demanding money in his name.
Governor Arlekar has given this information on his personal Twitter account. He has appealed to the people to be alert and not pay heed to such demands.
It is noted that some miscreants are demanding money through fakely created social media accounts in my name. Please be aware and do not entertain such demands.
— Rajendra Arlekar (@rajendraarlekar) January 29, 2023
Arlekar said on Monday that some miscreants were demanding money using a fake account created in his name and asked people not to entertain their demands.
Himachal Pradesh Police has said in a tweet on Twitter that it has registered a complaint in this regard and has asked the concerned authorities to deactivate this account.
Miscreants have created a fake Instagram account of Shri Rajendra Arlekar, Hon’ble Governor of Himachal Pradesh (@rajendraarlekar_)
— Himachal Pradesh Police (@himachalpolice) January 29, 2023
Formal complaint has been registered by H.P. Police and concerned authorities have been requested to deactivate the account.#CyberCrime #HPP pic.twitter.com/JC5utb6Yz5
Last year, suspected cyber criminals allegedly created fake social media accounts of senior leaders and officials like the chief minister and chief secretary to extort money from people citing medical emergencies.
According to the report, about 18,000 cases of cyber crime were reported in Himachal Pradesh in the last five years. According to the police, half of these cases have been of financial fraud.