[ Prem Taba ]
Social networking giant Facebook continues to attract netizens seeking to share their life events and stay updated on their friends’ lives. However, amidst the sea of genuine users, a cybercrime epidemic has emerged – one that poses a significant threat to users who fail to exercise caution.
A surge in fake accounts on the platform has given rise to miscreants who exploit them to solicit financial aid from trusted contacts. Cyber fraudsters have created hundreds of fake profiles, targeting a wide range of individuals, including government officials, legislators, student leaders, police personnel, businessmen and ordinary citizens.
The modus operandi of these fraudsters involves cloning Facebook profiles, particularly public ones, by replicating
the display name, profile picture, and other relevant information. Once successfully cloned, these fake profiles are used to send messages to multiple contacts in the friend list, requesting monetary assistance. The perpetrators claim to be facing urgent financial crises and share their Google Pay QR codes to facilitate money transfers.
Shockingly, even law enforcement officials and legislators have fallen victim to this scam, as exemplified by the cloning of State Information Commissioner Gumjum Haider’s Facebook account, which was exploited to demand money from other users. In response, Haider issued a statement urging people to disregard any requests for money on his Facebook timeline.
He opined that regional Facebook offices should verify profiles with the same name and flag any instances of duplicate profiles for further investigation. He also advised Facebook users to exercise caution and contact the nearest police station if the situation escalates, encouraging them to report any suspicious profiles of people they know.
Several prominent individuals have come forward to share their experiences as victims of this deceptive scheme. Gora Rikam, general secretary of the All Nyishi Students’ Union, revealed that a fake account was created in his name, with fraudsters soliciting money.
Similarly, the Congress’s media department chairman Tage Lapung, who also fell victim to the scam, questioned the police department’s lack of proactive intervention and their unwillingness to register cases against fake accounts.
He pointed out that several officers-in-charge tend to avoid taking action on such cases, even when they are reported.
Although the country has enacted cybercrime laws, there is still a need for significant improvement in logistical support. Therefore, he urged all police stations to be directed to handle such complaints promptly and firmly. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of actively surveilling the contact numbers associated with fake accounts to enable effective tracking.
The list of victims includes MLA Hayeng Mangfi, the forest ministers’ OSD Dr Radhe Natung, former AAPSU VP Meje Taku, RGU professor Gibji Nimasow, Trade Development Officer Tai Arun, Itanagar Cricket Club president Suraj Tayem, AAPSU IPR secretary Tate Tayem, AAPSU VP Nabam Gandhi, welding shop owner Jenson Pangen, and former Arunachal Christian Forum president Toko Teki, among others.
These individuals have alerted their followers to avoid falling into the trap and refrain from sharing any money.
Addressing the issue, assistant professor Millo Kado, who teaches new media at Saint Claret College Ziro, emphasized the need for heightened awareness on cybersecurity. He stressed the importance of regular training for law enforcement personnel to effectively combat new and emerging cyber threats.
Recounting his own experience, research scholar Karo Jongkey from RGU revealed how fraudsters used his fake profile to extort money from his friends. By promptly reporting the incident to Facebook, he managed to get the fake profile blocked, demonstrating the importance of taking immediate action when faced with such fraudulent activities.
A computer science and engineering research scholar stated, “These victims have failed to activate necessary security settings on their Facebook accounts. Allowing everyone access to your pictures and contact list can make you susceptible to such frauds. The only way to safeguard your account is by locking your information. Fortunately, Facebook now offers the option to lock your profile from unknown individuals, which proves quite helpful.”
Given the present circumstances, people must exercise caution and refrain from engaging in discussions about monetary matters on social media. It is highly unlikely that anyone sensible would seek financial assistance through direct messages on social platforms, emphasized Teli Yami, an RGU mass communication department faculty.
The escalating number of fake accounts in Arunachal has become a worrisome issue, as these deceitful schemes often lead to harassment. Victims find themselves inundated with countless calls and messages from concerned friends and relatives, leading to exhaustion from constant explanations. Particularly concerning are relatives living in villages, who may lack media literacy and easily fall prey to believing and depositing money as requested.
Compounding the issue, Facebook’s response to reports of these fraudulent accounts often falls short, as they deem them compliant with their community standards.
To mitigate the impact of these scams, preventive measures such as locking profiles and reporting incidents to the nearest police station are recommended. It is crucial for cyber police to take decisive action against the perpetrators. Analysis of the fraudulent messages across multiple accounts suggests a pattern, indicating the involvement of a single organisation.
The authorities must investigate accordingly, making arrests to deter such activities and ensure public safety.
In conclusion, users are urged to exercise caution and refrain from engaging in money-related discussions on social media. By staying informed, vigilant, and proactive, individuals can protect themselves and others from falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated cyber scams. (The contributor is a research scholar in the mass communication department of Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills. He may be contacted at +917005757458 and +919402442210)
