Bengaluru, July 14 : The Hebbagodi Police in Bengaluru on Tuesday registered an FIR against an unidentified person for allegedly creating a fake Facebook account in the name of M. Narayana, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Electronic City Division, and using it to fraudulently collect money from the officer's friends and members of the public.

The complaint in the case has been filed by DCP Narayana after it came to light that an impersonator had created a fake social media profile posing as the senior IPS officer and allegedly sought financial assistance from people known to him.

According to the FIR, the accused has already managed to collect money from some of the DCP's friends and members of the public by falsely claiming to be the officer.

Based on the complaint, the Hebbagodi Police have registered a case against the unidentified accused under Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The provisions deal with cheating, identity theft and cheating by personation using computer resources.

According to the complaint, the accused created and operated the fake Facebook profile to impersonate the DCP and contacted people through the account, requesting money on various pretexts. Investigators suspect that the fraudster exploited the officer's identity and credibility to convince victims to transfer funds.

The FIR states that the accused created a fake profile under the name "Om Singh" and used it to communicate with prospective victims. The complaint also includes details of the bank account, mobile numbers, and UPI ID allegedly used by the accused to receive the money. These financial details are now being examined as part of the investigation to trace the flow of funds and identify the person behind the fraud.

Police are also analysing the digital trail, including social media activity and transaction records, to determine the extent of the cheating and ascertain whether more people have fallen victim to the scam.

The Hebbagodi Police have launched a detailed investigation to identify and apprehend the accused. They have also advised the public to exercise caution while responding to requests for money received through social media platforms, even if they appear to originate from government officials or police officers. Citizens have been urged to verify the authenticity of such accounts through official channels before making any financial transactions.

Meanwhile, DCP M. Narayana released a video on Facebook, cautioning the public against the fraudulent account. "Miscreants have created a fake Facebook account in my name, 'IPS NARAYANA M,' and are cheating members of the public by collecting money on the pretext of selling household items at discounted prices. I have not recommended the sale of any products, nor have I shared the contact details of any individual," he said.

"In this regard, a case has been registered. The public is advised not to trust such phone calls, messages, or social media posts. Before making any financial transaction, they should verify the authenticity of the information through official channels," he said.

/IANS