Cybercrime authorities have uncovered a fraudulent website impersonating the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, allegedly used to deceive unsuspecting individuals and extract money under false pretences. The scam has raised serious concerns over the security of government-linked digital identities.
The fake portal, which closely mimicked the official website of the Raj Bhavan, presented itself as a legitimate government initiative involving welfare schemes and public assistance. Fraudsters used the impersonated identity of Governor Anandiben Patel, attaching her name and image to lend the scam credibility.
According to officials from the Uttar Pradesh Police Cyber Cell, the website lured victims by offering false government grants or employment opportunities, in exchange for advance “processing fees.” The scam, reportedly operational for several weeks, came to light when complaints began to surface regarding suspicious payment demands and untraceable contacts.
Authorities Launch Investigation, Track IP Origin
Following a detailed forensic analysis, investigators identified that the website was hosted on a foreign server and used proxy masking techniques to hide its origin. Preliminary findings suggest links to a larger interstate or international cyber fraud network.
Officials from the Governor’s Office lodged an official complaint, confirming that no such website or outreach initiative had been launched from their end. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) have been notified.
The impersonation of a constitutional authority, experts warn, represents a serious breach not just of cybersecurity but of institutional trust. “This is digital forgery of the highest order,” said a senior cybersecurity advisor. “It creates a false aura of legitimacy that can dupe even cautious citizens.”