Team Herald
PANJIM: Police on Thursday registered cases against unidentified persons/fraudsters for fraudulently making use of name and photographs of three Cabinet Ministers and three MLAs on WhatsApp Messenger as a profile picture.
Aditya D Naik, authorised signatory for Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik filed a police complaint against unknown person for fraudulently making use of name and photo of the minister WhatsApp Messenger as a profile picture.
As per complaint, Mandar Shirodkar, OSD to Agriculture Minister stated that he received a WhatsApp message on on his mobile number 9822586296 from one WhatsApp account saved in the name of Ravi Naik with mobile number 7890608735 having photograph of Ravi Naik and started a conversation (copy of WhatsApp chat is enclosed in complaint).
Aditya informed police that the Minister is not having any mobile number with digit 7890608735 registered in his name and also had not texted OSD Mandar Shirodkar in the name of Ravi Naik.
Similar complaint was filed at the Vasco police station against an unknown person for allegedly creating a fake WhatsApp account in the name of Transport Minister, MauvinGodinho, in a fraudulent attempt to solicit money.
Clarifying the situation and condemning the fraudulent activities, Godinho said, "A false message has been circulated in my name and image on WhatsApp, requesting money through an Amazon Pay e-gift card. This message is fraudulent, and I strongly condemn such malicious activities.”
Also Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte and three MLAs Nilesh Cabral, Premendra Shet and Jit Arolkar have been targeted. Money is being requested though various modes including amazon pay E-gift cards. Complaints have been filed by all against unidentified persons even as these incidents have raised concerns about online scams targeting public figures and unsuspecting individuals.