What initially seemed amusing has now become a recurring issue for musician Behram Singanporia, whose photographs from a dating app recently began circulating online. 'This is probably the 10th or 15th time it's happened. Initially, I was flattered that people were using my photos. Someone once even sent me a fake profile from Dubai. But now, when people message me asking, Is this you hiding under another name? that's when it gets a little scary,' he says.
According to Behram, the fake accounts use only his photographs while operating under random names such as Rajiv, John, or Arjun. For him, the larger concern is how casually people misuse identities online. 'It would really affect me if someone went to meet a person thinking it was me and ended up meeting somebody else. You never know what could happen from there,' he says. Reflecting on the trend, Behram adds that it points to a larger problem.
'Authenticity is becoming increasingly rare in today's world. There is a growing culture of catfishing, and people are creating versions of themselves that aren't real. What starts as a joke or harmless impersonation can have serious consequences,' he adds. The musician emphasizes that this repeated misuse of his identity not only invades his privacy but also poses risks to unsuspecting individuals who might be deceived.
Behram's experience highlights a broader issue in the digital age, where personal photos can be easily appropriated for fraudulent purposes. He urges social media platforms to implement stricter verification processes and users to be more cautious about sharing personal information online. 'We need to value authenticity and take steps to protect our identities,' he concludes.
