Fake Facebook/Instagram Profile
Pause, verify the request through an official channel and never act under pressure.
What is this fraud?
A criminal creates a copy or false profile using another person's name/photos to deceive, defame or request money.
How does it happen?
Public profile information is copied and friend requests are sent to the person's contacts with emergency, investment or loan requests.
Warning signs
Duplicate profile; new friend request from an existing contact; small differences in username; sudden request for money, OTP or personal information.
How to stay safe
Restrict public information, verify unusual requests through a known channel and search periodically for duplicate profiles.
If you are a victim
Capture the profile URL/screenshots, report it to the platform, warn contacts and file a cybercrime complaint if there is cheating, threat or reputational harm.
Evidence to preserve
Keep transaction IDs or UTRs, bank messages, screenshots, chats, emails, phone numbers, profiles, URLs, app details, and the exact date and time. Preserve original files without editing or deleting them.
Official reporting
For financial cyber fraud, call 1930 immediately, notify your bank or payment provider, and file a complaint through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal ↗. General technical advisories are available from CERT-In ↗.