Alirajpur Administration Issues Alert Over Fake Facebook Account Impersonating Collector

ALIRAJPUR, India — The district administration in Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh, issued a public alert on Friday warning residents about a fraudulent Facebook account impersonating District Collector Neetu Mathur. Officials confirmed the existence of the fake profile, which utilizes the official photograph and name of the senior bureaucrat to solicit financial information from the public.

The alert, released by the district administration late Friday evening, stated that the impersonator is attempting to deceive citizens by requesting money transfers, online payment details, bank account numbers, and one-time passwords (OTPs). The administration emphasized that the Collector's office will never ask for such sensitive personal or financial data through social media platforms. The timing of the warning coincides with a surge in digital fraud cases across central India, where scammers increasingly target government officials to lend credibility to their schemes.

Neetu Mathur, who serves as the administrative head of Alirajpur district, has been at the center of this identity theft attempt. The fake account was created to mimic her official presence, likely aiming to exploit public trust in local governance structures. By using authentic imagery and her full name, the perpetrator sought to bypass initial skepticism among residents who might otherwise question unsolicited requests for funds.

In response to the threat, district authorities have urged all citizens to exercise extreme caution when interacting with profiles claiming to represent government officials. Residents are advised to verify any communication through official government channels before providing personal information or making payments. The administration reiterated that legitimate administrative work is conducted through formal office procedures and verified contact methods, not via direct messaging on social networking sites.

The incident highlights the growing sophistication of digital identity fraud targeting public figures in India. While the specific individual behind the fake account has not been identified, police in Alirajpur have reportedly begun an investigation to trace the origin of the profile and apprehend those responsible. Authorities are working to gather evidence to support potential legal action under cybercrime statutes.

As of Friday night, it remains unclear how long the fraudulent account was active before being flagged or reported. Questions also persist regarding whether any individuals have already fallen victim to the scam or transferred funds to the impersonator. The district administration has not released details on the number of reports received from victims but indicated that the situation is being monitored closely.

The case serves as a stark reminder for residents to remain vigilant against online impersonation schemes. Until further notice, the public is advised to treat any unsolicited requests for money or personal data from social media profiles claiming to be government officials with suspicion. Further updates on the investigation and the status of the fake account are expected in the coming days.