Srinagar, April 14 (IANS) Police in J&K’s Budgam said on Tuesday that it has registered an FIR against an individual for operating a fake WhatsApp account in the name of the Senior Superintendent of Police.

A police official said that Budgam police station had received reliable information that an individual, namely Sameer Ali Bhat, son of Ghulam Muhammad Bhat, resident of Pallar Budgam, was sharing screenshots of chats with a fake WhatsApp account operating in the name of SSP Budgam among the general public and posing as the top police officer’s close aide in order to influence people.

Upon verification, it was found that the said individual is involved in multiple FIRs and was operating a fake WhatsApp account in the name of SSP Budgam using the mobile number +91-9622126997.

He was also sharing screenshots of conversations to portray himself as a close associate to have undue influence.

Cyber crimes, online frauds and scams have increased in J&K, like the rest of the country, as internet and social media usage have become widespread. While the facility has immense advantages for the common man, it also presents a serious challenge to law-enforcing agencies.

The misuse of social media for anti-national and criminal purposes forms the basis of cyber crimes in J&K. Acting swiftly on this information, Police Station Budgam has registered FIR No. 90/2026 under Section 319 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 66-C of the Information Technology Act.

Budgam police also advised the general public to remain vigilant and not fall prey to such impersonation attempts.

Citizens were urged to use only officially published contact numbers available on the official website to reach the police authorities and other government departments.

The public is also requested to report any such suspicious activity to the nearest police station promptly so that timely legal action can be taken.

–IANS

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