Gift voucher scam: Fraudsters create fake accounts of Assam minister, officials

A minister of cabinet rank in the Assam government, including the state police chief and two senior bureaucrats, are among the latest high-profile people to fall prey to online scamsters after unidentified fraudsters created fake WhatsApp accounts in their names to dupe officials and their acquaintances.

On Monday, Assam’s industry, commerce, public enterprise and cultural affairs minister Bimal Borah lodged an FIR with the police after it was found that someone created a WhatsApp account with his name and photograph to send messages to people and dupe them.

“Messages were being sent to some officials from departments placed under me asking them to transfer money by purchasing some gift vouchers. Thankfully, no one sent any money and the matter was brought to my notice. I have asked the police to investigate and trace the criminals,” Borah said.