Srinagar, Feb 24: The Cyber Police Station in Jammu has urged citizens to remain vigilant against impersonation scams, where fraudsters impersonate police officers to extort money.
The advisory issued on social media handle ‘X’ warns that scammers often assume the identity of law enforcement personnel, feigning emergencies and soliciting funds from unsuspecting victims.
“One common tactic employed by these fraudsters is the creation of fake social media profiles, particularly on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, using the names and images of senior police officers.
Through these counterfeit profiles, they post misleading content, including photos of supposed police operations, and request monetary assistance from individuals under the guise of supporting law enforcement initiatives.
Victims, swayed by the apparent legitimacy of these profiles and the urgency of the requests, often fall prey to the scams, sending money without verifying the authenticity of the claims. To combat such fraudulent activities, the advisory emphasizes the importance of verifying the credibility of any online profile purporting to represent law enforcement agencies or personnel”.
“Citizens are urged to exercise caution and refrain from sending money or disclosing personal information in response to unsolicited requests, especially those purportedly coming from police officers. If individuals encounter suspicious profiles or incidents of impersonation, they are encouraged to report them promptly to the authorities”.
The advisory concludes with a reminder to remain vigilant, stating, “Be alert and stay safe.” Individuals are reminded to report any instances of cybercrime to the official website of the Cyber Police Station at www.cybercrime.gov.in or by calling 1930.
By disseminating this advisory, the Cyber Police Station in Jammu aims to empower citizens with the knowledge and tools necessary to protect themselves from falling victim to impersonation scams in the digital realm.