The Crime Investigation Department (CID) of the Meghalaya Police has cautioned the public in general against frauds who use the internet and social media to dupe people by impersonating high ranking officials and government employees. In a media statement issued on Sunday, the state police said it has come to its notice that some individuals were gathering information about a particular organisation or department and its employees from the internet by using the names, designations, contact numbers, pictures of superior officials and subordinates.

“Thereafter, they impersonate the superior official of a particular organisation/department by using their name and picture obtained from the internet in social media sites and other messenger apps, especially WhatsApp, in order to dupe his/her subordinates,” the statement signed by superintendent of police (CID) Supriya Das said on Sunday.

“The fraudsters send emails/messages to selected sub-ordinates from the list on the pretext that he is attending a very urgent meeting and is unable to make calls and hence, asking favour from them to purchase Amazon e-gift cards for him and send the same via Whatsapp or e-mail,” Das said.

In view of this development, she requested people “not to fall prey” to such e-mails or messages, adding that if they did come across or receive any message from such superior official, they should confirm or verify before making any payment or purchase.