Unemployed youth arrested for creating fake profiles of CV Anand, other VIPs

HYDERABAD: In a significant breakthrough, the Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have apprehended a 22-year-old unemployed youth for creating fake Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp accounts impersonating prominent government officials, including IAS, IPS officers, MPs, MLAs, and Doctors.

The accused, identified as Jagru, created deceptive profiles of top dignitaries and collected money from their colleagues.

The case came to light when Inspector Y. Prem Kumar of the Cyber Cell, ACB, filed a complaint regarding fake profiles created in the name of ACB Director General CV Anand.

In response to the complaint, Cyber Crime Police registered a case under Sec 66 (D) ITA Act-2008, & Sec. 419, 420 IPC. The investigation revealed that the accused not only created fake profiles but also sent inappropriate messages to mislead the public. The police shared the links to fake profiles on Facebook and Instagram and a fake WhatsApp number with the media.

The accused, proficient in creating fake accounts and impersonating various officials, had several mobile phones used for his fraudulent activities. The seized items include one Itel mobile phone, one VIVO mobile phone, one Oppo mobile phone, and one Samsung mobile phone.

The dedicated team of Cyber Crime Police, led by Inspector K Saidulu, successfully cracked the case under the direct supervision of Joint Commissioner of Police (Crimes & SIT) A.V. Ranganath, DCP Cyber Crimes D Kavitha, and ACP Social Media Unit Chand Basha, along with ACP Cyber Crime R.G. Siva Maruthi.

The authorities have cautioned the public against believing inappropriate messages received from high-level government officials on social media platforms soliciting money.