Cyber impostors target NTR, Guntur collectors

In separate incidents, unidentified cyber miscreants targeted high-profile government officials in Andhra Pradesh by impersonating district collectors on messaging platforms.
In the first case, an impostor posing as NTR District Collector S Dilli Rao utilised a fake WhatsApp account to send messages to 14 Tahsildars within the district.
The messages, sent under the guise of an emergency, requested the officials to transfer money to a provided UPI number.
The Collector filed a complaint, and an FIR copy reveals that the miscreant had set the complainant’s photo as a profile picture. The cybercrime police have registered a case and are actively investigating the matter. It is believed that the impersonator may originate from North India.
Similarly, another incident involved an unknown cyber miscreant impersonating M Venugopal Reddy, Guntur Collector, and district magistrate. This imposter, too, sent WhatsApp messages to Tahsildars within the district, soliciting funds.
While no money has been reported as transferred in either case, an inquiry is underway in Guntur, although no formal case has been registered with the cybercrime unit.
Authorities caution government officials to remain vigilant against such cyber threats and report any suspicious activities promptly.