In a disturbing case of digital impersonation, cyber criminals have created fraudulent Facebook and WhatsApp accounts using the identity of former West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee, prompting an official police investigation.
The sophisticated scam came to light when Chatterjee's office discovered that unknown fraudsters were operating social media profiles that convincingly mimicked the former education minister's online presence. The fake accounts were being used to potentially deceive unsuspecting members of the public.
Police Launch Cyber Crime Probe
Kolkata Police has initiated a formal investigation into the matter after the former minister's team filed an official complaint. The cyber crime unit is now working to identify the individuals behind these fraudulent accounts and determine the extent of their activities.
"This appears to be a calculated attempt to misuse a public figure's identity for potentially malicious purposes," a police official familiar with the case stated. "We are treating this with utmost seriousness given the potential for misuse."
Growing Trend of Political Figure Impersonation
This incident highlights an alarming trend where scammers increasingly target prominent political figures to gain credibility for their fraudulent activities. Such fake accounts can be used for various malicious purposes including:
- Financial scams and phishing attempts
- Spreading misinformation and fake news
- Damaging the reputation of public figures
- Gathering sensitive information from unsuspecting followers
The timing of this incident is particularly sensitive given Chatterjee's recent legal troubles, including his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the school jobs scam.
Public Warning Issued
Authorities have cautioned social media users to exercise extreme vigilance when interacting with accounts claiming to belong to public figures. They recommend verifying account authenticity through official channels and reporting suspicious profiles immediately.
"The public should be aware that genuine public figures rarely make unsolicited contact or requests through personal social media accounts," a cybersecurity expert advised.
As the investigation continues, police are working with social media platforms to take down the fraudulent accounts and prevent further misuse of the former minister's identity.
