Officials Receive Fake Fund Transfer Requests; Police Register FIR
Kozhikode – Kerala has witnessed the emergence of a new cyber fraud targeting district administrations, with criminals impersonating district collectors on WhatsApp to dupe subordinate officers into transferring money. Officials say the scam usually begins with routine work-related queries, but quickly escalates into urgent financial requests.
The latest cases were reported from Wayanad and Kasaragod, where district officials discovered fake WhatsApp accounts operating under the names of their respective collectors. These profiles used stolen display photos and formal, authoritative language typical of official communication. Officers receiving these messages said that conversations initially seemed benign, beginning with questions like, “Where are you now?” or “Any update on the work?” before suddenly escalating into instructions demanding fund transfers.
One recurring message used by the impersonators read:
“I am busy attending an urgent meeting. You need to transfer funds to an executive prospect’s account on my behalf. I will reimburse you by the end of the day.”
The scammers often requested screenshots of the payment receipts, claiming they were required for reimbursement and documentation purposes.
Kasaragod District Collector confirmed the impersonation attempts and warned all officers that no legitimate fund transfer requests are ever sent via WhatsApp. He urged officials to verify all financial communications through official channels only. Kasaragod district authorities also issued an advisory across departments and filed a formal cybercrime complaint.
Similarly, Wayanad District Collector took to her official Facebook page to alert the public about a WhatsApp number impersonating her. Preliminary investigations by the Wayanad cyber police revealed that the number was registered in Vietnam and appeared as a business account, joining WhatsApp only in October 2025. Officials suspect that the profile was created specifically for fraudulent purposes.
Cybersecurity experts note that scams involving impersonation of senior government officials are on the rise, with fraudsters exploiting hierarchical structures and urgency-based communication to compel officers into acting without verification.
Police have urged government employees and the public to avoid responding to unsolicited WhatsApp messages requesting money, verify all communications through official phone numbers or emails, and report suspicious messages immediately to cybercrime authorities.
Key Takeaways
The incidents highlight a growing trend of cyber fraud leveraging digital platforms and official identities. Experts emphasize that vigilance, official communication channels, and dual verification are the most effective methods to prevent such scams. Kerala police are treating the matter seriously and indicated that legal action against the perpetrators may follow in the coming weeks.
