Scammers impersonate Maharashtra additional chief secretary on WhatsApp

Scammers impersonating Maharashtra additional chief secretary (home) Manisha Mhaiskar targeted home department officials on WhatsApp, The Times of India reports. Cell officer Ananda Gore received a message from an Indonesian number on August 12 showing Mhaiskar's name and photograph, requesting an urgent transfer of Rs 50,000 to a bank account in Imran Khan's name at a private-sector small finance bank.

Gore grew suspicious because of the foreign number. He contacted Mhaiskar, who confirmed the request was fraudulent, and lodged an FIR. At least three other officials, including Saugar Patil and Jaysen Ingole, received similar messages from the same number on August 12 and 13. The sender claimed to be busy in a meeting and needed the money urgently. The state nodal cyber police are investigating the impersonation attempt.