Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Chief Secretary’s office has asked people to remain alert after it was found that a fraudster is using Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra’s photo on his WhatsApp profile and seeking money from people.
“It has come to the notice of the office of Chief Secretary that a cell number (9315641784) is using the photo of Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra and asking people to pay bills or remit money,” the Chief Secretary’s office said.
“We want to inform people that the Chief Secretary does not use any such number and he never asks anyone to pay any bill on his behalf or remit money to any account,” it stated further.
The Chief Secretary’s office asked people to remain alert and inform police in case they get such messages.
“Further, we request citizens to remain vigilant about such social media messages coming from accounts bearing photos of administrators, ministers or renowned persons,” it said.
Recently, cyber frauds opened a fake WhatsApp account in the name of Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) Commissioner to seek money from people.
The WhatsApp account bearing the picture of BeMC Commissioner J Sonal was opened with phone number 9065035805.
Earlier, fraudsters had opened a fake WhatsApp account in the name of Ganjam district Collector Dibyajyoti Parida.
