Jaipur: A case of attempted cyber fraud involving the misuse of Rajasthan Minister of State for Forest Sanjay Sharma’s identity has come to light after cybercriminals allegedly created a fake social media account using his name and photograph. The fake profile was reportedly being used to send messages to people, add them to groups and promote suspicious investment schemes with promises of financial gains.
After the matter came to his notice, Minister Sanjay Sharma issued a public warning through his official social media handle, clarifying that the account had no connection with him. He urged people to remain cautious and report the fake profile immediately.
In his statement, Sharma said that a fraudulent account was being operated by misusing his name and image. The account was allegedly attempting to engage users through different groups, investment-related offers and other activities. He made it clear that he had no association with such communications or schemes.
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The minister advised citizens not to trust any messages, links or investment proposals received through such accounts. He also warned users against sharing sensitive information such as personal details, bank account information, One-Time Passwords (OTPs), passwords or other financial data with unknown individuals.
Cybercrime investigators and experts have repeatedly warned that fraudsters often impersonate public figures, government officials and celebrities to gain public trust. By using familiar names and photographs, criminals attempt to convince victims to participate in fake investment opportunities or share confidential information.
Following the discovery of the fake account, users have been urged to report and block the profile on the concerned social media platform. Authorities are also expected to examine the digital trail of the account, including its creation details, associated mobile numbers, internet activity and individuals involved in operating the profile.
According to the Future Crime Research Foundation (FCRF), identity impersonation scams have become a common cybercrime method where criminals exploit the reputation of influential individuals to target victims. Fraudsters often combine fake social media profiles, investment promises and social engineering techniques to manipulate users. People should always verify investment-related communications through official channels before taking any action.
Cybersecurity experts advise users to remain alert when receiving messages from accounts claiming to represent ministers, government officials or well-known personalities. Any suspicious communication involving financial offers should be verified independently, and users should avoid clicking unknown links or sharing confidential information.
The incident highlights the growing threat of digital impersonation fraud, where cybercriminals misuse public identities to create trust and target large numbers of people. Authorities are continuing efforts to identify those behind the fake account and take appropriate legal action.
