Social Media Fraud: Delhi Woman Deceived by Imposter Posing as Fashion Brand Representative
Delhi Woman Defrauded by Social Media Imposter; Scammer Arrested
A man has been apprehended in Assam for allegedly impersonating an online clothing brand representative on social media to swindle a Delhi woman. The accused, Hizbul Bari (30), was operating fake business profiles on various social media platforms to execute small-value scams, typically below ₹15,000.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Abhishek Dhania, the victim, Kausar Jahan, encountered a social media account pretending to represent a popular women's fashion brand. Engaging with an individual posing as an employee, she was convinced to place an order worth ₹11,500 and transferred the funds. However, no items were delivered, and her repeated attempts to contact the seller were ignored.
Upon realizing she had been scammed, Jahan filed a complaint on May 23. A multifaceted approach, involving technical surveillance, analysis of digital transactions, and intelligence gathering, led the team to track the origin of the fraudulent activity in Assam. On May 24, a raid conducted in Dakshingaon village under Dispur Police Station, with the assistance of local authorities, resulted in Bari's arrest.
The authorities recovered a mobile phone used to operate the fraudulent social media account and communicate with victims. Digital evidence from the device revealed chats with numerous victims and access to the deceptive account. Preliminary findings suggest that at least four to five others may have fallen victim to his scams in Delhi alone.
India has witnessed a surge in cybercrime, with social media platforms serving as breeding grounds for fraudsters. Common tactics include impersonating authorities, promising high returns on investments, and psychological manipulation to deceive victims into sharing sensitive financial details or investing in fictitious schemes. The use of AI technologies to facilitate such scams has also grown, complicating detection and prevention.
The financial impact of these scams is substantial, with India projected to lose about ₹20,000 crore to cybercrime in 2025. Individuals can protect themselves by being skeptical of unsolicited contacts, verifying identities, avoiding suspicious links, using strong passwords, staying informed, reporting scams promptly, and being cautious on social media.
As investigations continue, authorities are urged to enhance cybercrime awareness, regulation, and enforcement to combat these growing threats and safeguard Indian citizens.
- Despite India's growing interest in technology and business, including the fashion industry, it remains vulnerable to cybercrime, such as the recent scam involving a Delhi woman and an imposter posing as a fashion brand representative on social media.
- Last week's arrest of Hizbul Bari in Assam, who was accused of executing small-value scams using fake business profiles on social media, underscores the need for greater vigilance against crime-and-justice issues like fraud on these platforms.
- In the midst of the advancements in technology and its integration into various sectors, like cricket and general-news, it is crucial for citizens to stay informed and protect themselves from financial scams such as the one experienced by Kausar Jahan in Delhi.
