In a surprising case of digital impersonation, cybercriminals created fake social media profiles using the name and photos of East Champaran Superintendent of Police (SP) Swarn Prabhat. The fraudsters sent friend requests and solicited money from unsuspecting users. The incident has triggered a formal police investigation and raised alarms over the growing trend of cyber identity theft in India.
In a brazen case of cybercrime that strikes at the credibility of the law enforcement machinery, cybercriminals have impersonated East Champaran’s top cop, SP Swarn Prabhat, on social media platforms, using his photographs to create fake accounts and request money from unsuspecting citizens.
The deception came to light when several social media users reported receiving friend requests and money solicitations from accounts bearing the SP’s name and likeness. The impostors not only mimicked his digital presence but also engaged in personal conversations, pretending to be the police official and inventing pretexts to demand money. On Monday, Cyber DSP Abhinav Parasar confirmed the case and revealed that an FIR has been registered against unidentified persons for cyber fraud, identity theft, and criminal impersonation.
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Police Spring Into Action
Once reports began surfacing, the Motihari cyber police team moved swiftly, initiating technical investigations to track down the IP addresses and geolocation data linked to the fake accounts. The police also issued an urgent public advisory warning citizens not to engage with suspicious social media accounts claiming to be from police officials and to report any such incidents to the cyber police helpline or local station.
Cyber experts point out that this is not an isolated incident. There has been a sharp rise in cases where criminals exploit the public profiles of bureaucrats, politicians, and celebrities to conduct frauds. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, cyber impersonation cases have doubled over the last two years, especially in Tier-2 and border districts, where digital literacy is lower and fraud detection mechanisms are slower.
The East Champaran case is a stark reminder of the evolving landscape of cybercrime, where reputation theft is increasingly weaponized for financial gain. The authorities have now called on Meta and other social media companies to strengthen verification processes, especially for public figures and government officials.
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Tarnished Image, Compromised Trust
What makes this incident particularly alarming is that it targets the very symbols of law and order. By impersonating a senior police officer, the fraudsters aimed to exploit public deference and urgency, assuming that individuals would comply with requests made by a figure of authority.
“The police department would like to reiterate that no officer ever demands money through social media or any unofficial channel,” the official statement read. “This is an insidious attempt to damage the reputation of the police force and manipulate the public under false pretences.”
The cyber police have reiterated that public cooperation is crucial. Meanwhile, the SP’s office is working to restore public confidence and ensure that the digital identity of law enforcement officials is protected.
About the author – Prakriti Jha is a student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, currently pursuing B.Sc. LL.B (Hons.) with a keen interest in the intersection of law and data science. She is passionate about exploring how legal frameworks adapt to the evolving challenges of technology and justice.