Cybercriminals change tack, pose as VIPs on Facebook to extort money from ‘friends’

A gang impersonating politicians, bureaucrats and police personnel is posing a serious challenge to the authorities as at least one case involving them gets registered in the city a week.

They create fake Facebook accounts using the name and pictures of officials and politicians and send friend requests to people on the friends’ list of the original account. They later send requests for financial support.

In the most recent case, Anjum Parwez, Principal Secretary, Transport Department, has fallen victim to the gang. Last week, it created the fake account of BJP leader B L Santosh. They have targeted several IPS officers in the past.