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

Cyberabad Police have issued a public advisory warning residents about an alarming surge in fake social media profiles targeting citizens for financial fraud. Fraudsters are reportedly impersonating police officers, bankers, and government officials on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and WhatsApp, using stolen photos, names, and official logos to dupe victims.

The advisory follows a sharp rise in impersonation scams across Hyderabad’s suburbs, where victims have lost crores of rupees to urgent-money requests from cloned profiles.

How the Scams Work

According to the Cyberabad Cyber Crime Wing, scammers create highly convincing profiles, often mimicking verified accounts and official handles. They then solicit urgent financial help, typically via digital payment apps like GPay or PhonePe. Common tactics include messages claiming, “I’m stuck, please send Rs 5,000 immediately,” sent by profiles mimicking senior police officials or bank managers.

Victims are often drawn in with small initial transfers, which escalate into demands for “legal fees” or “family emergencies.” Increasingly, deepfake videos and audio recordings are being used to make these impersonations appear authentic. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau shows impersonation scams in Telangana rose by 300% in 2025, resulting in losses of around ₹150 crore.

Cyberabad Police Guidelines: Do’s and Don’ts

Critical Don’ts:

• Do not respond to social media messages requesting money or assistance from officials.
• Avoid accepting friend requests from suspicious or duplicate profiles.
• Never share OTPs, CVV codes, bank details, or Aadhaar information.
• Do not click links in unsolicited urgent messages.

Essential Do’s:

• Verify blue tick or official verified accounts before taking action.
• Call official numbers directly instead of responding to social media messages.
• Report or block fake profiles immediately on the platform.
• Contact the 1930 helpline or visit cybercrime.gov.in for reporting scams.

Cyberabad’s Social Media Monitoring Cell (SMMC) coordinates takedowns, with platforms mandated to suspend approximately 24,000 fake accounts monthly under the IT Rules, 2021.

Context: Hyderabad’s Impersonation Crisis

The advisory highlights a broader issue: social engineering scams account for nearly 40% of financial fraud in Cyberabad, including Rachakonda and Sangareddy districts. Authorities have recently uncovered Cambodia-based call centers cloning bank profiles for UPI scams. National I4C data indicates that 70% of financial fraud in India originates from fake social media accounts, with Telangana leading South India with over 15,000 monthly takedowns.

Enforcement Measures and Technology Interventions

Cyberabad Police use AI-based monitoring tools to detect more than 500 fake profiles daily, while platforms like Facebook and Instagram reportedly remove 90% within hours. Public awareness campaigns, including WhatsApp broadcasts, have reached over 2 million residents. FIRs are filed under relevant IPC and IT Act sections, with 50 arrests recorded in the first quarter of 2026 alone.

Security Tips for Users:

• Keep social media accounts private and restrict friend lists.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) and audit connected apps.
• Avoid posting selfies in uniforms; watermark photos where possible.
• Report suspicious activity via platform tools and police portals.