Bengaluru: In a fresh case of digital deception, cybercriminals recently created a bogus Facebook account impersonating city police commissioner B Dayananda. Disguised under the name ‘Dayanand Bannikal’ written in Hindi, the fraudsters sent friend requests to multiple users, requesting urgent monetary assistance under the pretext of an emergency.
Fortunately, no one fell prey to the scam or transferred money. The perpetrators reportedly downloaded the commissioner’s images from public sources online, using them to create a realistic-looking fake profile.
This is not the first instance of such impersonation. Back in October 2024, a similar incident involving a counterfeit profile of Dayananda was reported. Other high-ranking IPS officers—both serving and retired—have also been victims of such fraudulent social media impersonations aimed at extracting money under false pretenses.
Commissioner Dayananda confirmed that the issue has been reported to the cybercrime cell, which has launched an investigation. He advised the public to stay cautious and avoid responding to any messages on Facebook or WhatsApp that ask for money, especially those claiming to be from officials.
He emphasized that anyone receiving such suspicious messages should inform him directly or lodge a complaint at the nearest police station.
A senior official also warned against accepting friend requests from unknown or suspicious accounts. If such a request is mistakenly accepted, it is important not to engage with any financial solicitation without direct verification.
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