17 Year Old Held In Bengaluru For Fake Facebook Account Using IPS Officer Name

A 17 year old boy from Rajasthan has been taken into custody in connection with an alleged online fraud involving a fake Facebook account created using the name and photograph of an IPS officer in Bengaluru.

The case came to light after a complaint was filed in July. According to the police, the accused allegedly created a Facebook profile using the identity of Narayana M, Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Electronic City division, and used the account to approach people for money.

Investigators suspect that the teenager was not working alone. During questioning, he allegedly told police that he had carried out the activity with the help of other associates. Police are now looking for the remaining suspects and are examining the wider network linked to the alleged fraud.

The accused is reportedly a resident of Kotakurd village in Rajasthan. Police recovered Rs 2 lakh in cash from him during the investigation. Officers suspect that the money could be part of the proceeds collected through fraudulent transactions involving bank accounts used for the alleged operation.

According to the investigation, the fake Facebook profile was designed to appear connected to the IPS officer. The accused allegedly used the officer’s photograph and identity to gain the trust of people who came across the account.

One of the alleged methods involved offering household goods and furniture at unusually low prices. The accused reportedly told potential buyers that a friend working as a CRPF commandant had access to furniture and other household items that could be sold cheaply. People were then allegedly persuaded to transfer money for the promised purchases.

The items were reportedly never delivered after the payments were made, leading victims to suspect that they had been deceived. A complaint from one of the victims in July helped bring the alleged operation to the attention of the Electronic City police.

The investigation has since taken a wider turn. Police officials said the teenager allegedly provided information about associates involved in the activity. He also reportedly disclosed that fake Facebook accounts had been created using the names of several IAS and IPS officers in different parts of the country.

Investigators suspect that the group may have been impersonating government officials online to make fraudulent requests for money. The alleged use of senior officers’ identities could have helped the accused appear more trustworthy when approaching potential victims.

Police are continuing to investigate the suspected network and are searching for the other people allegedly involved. Officers are also examining financial transactions and digital evidence that could help establish how the fake accounts were operated and where the collected money was transferred.

The case highlights the risks of trusting social media profiles simply because they carry the name or photograph of a well known public official. Fake accounts can be designed to look convincing, and offers involving unusually cheap products can be used to attract people into making advance payments.

Police have advised people to verify the identity of anyone requesting money through social media, particularly when the account claims to belong to a government officer or another public figure. Suspicious profiles and requests for advance payments should be reported to the appropriate authorities rather than being acted upon immediately.

The investigation remains underway, with police working to identify the other alleged members of the group and determine the full extent of the suspected activity.