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Police in Himachal Pradesh’s Nurpur district have arrested a man from Punjab for allegedly creating multiple fake Instagram accounts in a woman’s name, circulating photographs of her family and issuing death threats through WhatsApp.
The accused, identified as Sham Lal, a resident of Sherpur Chowk in Ludhiana, allegedly used the fraudulent profiles to damage the woman’s reputation and subject her family to sustained online harassment.
The arrest follows an investigation by Damtal Police Station and the district’s cyber cell. Investigators have also secured the removal of the fake Instagram accounts to prevent further circulation of the objectionable material.
Fake Instagram Profiles Used To Target Woman And Her Family
According to Additional Superintendent of Police Dharam Chand Verma, the accused allegedly created several Instagram accounts using the woman’s identity.
Photographs of the woman and her family were uploaded alongside obscene and objectionable comments, allegedly intended to damage their reputation and cause distress.
The harassment extended beyond the fraudulent profiles. Police said the accused also shared the woman’s mobile number on social media, following which she began receiving repeated calls from unfamiliar numbers.
According to her complaint, the accused also threatened to kill her and members of her family through WhatsApp.
The woman subsequently approached the police, and a case was registered at Damtal Police Station on August 26.
Investigators have not publicly disclosed the relationship between the complainant and the accused or established the motive behind the alleged harassment.
The woman’s identity has not been disclosed in the available police accounts.
Digital Evidence Helps Police Trace Suspect To Punjab
Following the complaint, Damtal Police sought assistance from the Nurpur cyber cell to examine the fraudulent accounts and identify the person allegedly operating them.
Investigators used technical evidence and other digital information to trace the suspect to Punjab, where he was subsequently arrested.
Police also arranged for the fake Instagram accounts to be blocked or deleted.
Such investigations can involve examining account registration information, communication records and other electronic evidence. However, investigators have not disclosed the specific technical methods used to identify the accused in this case.
Nurpur Superintendent of Police Ilma Afroz said legal proceedings had been initiated against the accused and further investigation was underway.
Police are examining how long the fraudulent accounts were being used to target the woman and whether any additional individuals were involved.
The investigation illustrates the importance of preserving electronic evidence in cases where offenders operate across state borders.
Even when an account uses a fabricated name or misleading photograph, its activity may generate digital records that can assist investigators in identifying the person responsible.
Online Harassment Extends Beyond Social Media Platforms
The publication of the woman’s mobile number highlights another form of digital abuse in which personal information is circulated without consent.
Commonly described as doxxing, this practice can involve publishing someone’s telephone number, residential address or other identifying information to facilitate harassment or intimidation.
Once such information becomes publicly available, the person targeted may receive unwanted calls, messages or threats from individuals who were previously unknown to them.
Removing the original post may not immediately end the harassment because other users could have copied or redistributed the information.
The creation of fraudulent social media accounts can cause additional harm by making objectionable material appear to originate from the victim herself.
Police have warned that impersonating individuals online, publishing obscene comments and issuing threats can attract criminal proceedings.
However, the specific legal provisions invoked in the Damtal investigation have not been publicly disclosed.
Earlier Cases Highlight Growing Concerns Over Digital Impersonation
Similar complaints have emerged in several parts of India, with fake social media accounts allegedly being used to intimidate women and damage their personal relationships.
In September 2025, Mohali cybercrime police registered a case against a dentist accused of creating fake Instagram accounts and misusing a woman’s photographs to damage her reputation within her family.
The accused disputed the allegations, claiming the photographs had been posted at the complainant’s request. Police initiated further proceedings after reviewing the available evidence.
In October 2026, Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch arrested eight people and initiated legal action against three minors after nine complaints involving fraudulent social media profiles, blackmail and online harassment surfaced under Mission Cyber Rakshika.
Those investigations included cases in which individuals allegedly created false accounts to settle personal disputes or damage women’s reputations.
The cases are separate from the Nurpur investigation but demonstrate how easily ordinary photographs and personal information can be repurposed for harassment.
Nurpur Police have urged people facing similar abuse to preserve relevant screenshots, profile links, messages and other electronic evidence before approaching their nearest police station or cybercrime unit.
What This Means For You:
If someone creates a fake profile in your name or publishes your personal information without consent, preserve screenshots, account links and threatening messages before reporting the profile. Report harassment through cybercrime.gov.in or your nearest police station, and call 112 if you face an immediate threat to your safety.
