JK police warn against fake social media ads misusing public figures’ identities

In a statement, police said the use of a familiar public figure in an advertisement does not guarantee the authenticity of the offer, warning that scammers may use manipulated or deepfake videos to deceive people.

Police said such advertisements may redirect users to fraudulent websites or prompt them to contact suspicious phone numbers through calls or WhatsApp messages. Scammers may then demand tax, registration, processing or verification fees from people seeking to claim the supposed benefits.

The police also warned against fake scratch-card and spin-and-win offers, which may trick users into approving UPI Collect Requests or entering their UPI PIN, potentially leading to financial losses.

Urging people to remain vigilant, police advised citizens to verify the authenticity of online offers before sharing personal or financial information or making any payments.

Police further said that victims of cyber fraud should immediately call the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or register a complaint through the official portal, cybercrime.gov.in.