In a recent incident that highlights the growing threat of social media scams, the Chief Justice of India (CJI), D.Y. Chandrachud, was impersonated by a fraudster on X (formerly Twitter). The scammer, using a fake profile with the CJI’s name and image, requested ₹500 from a user named Kailash Meghwal for a cab fare, claiming to be stranded at Connaught Place in Delhi. The scammer claimed they needed to attend an urgent Collegium meeting and promised to return the money upon reaching the Supreme Court.
The incident came to light when a screenshot of the message went viral on social media. CJI Chandrachud brought the matter to the attention of the Supreme Court’s security department, which filed a cyber-crime complaint with the Delhi Police.
To add a touch of authenticity to the message, the scammer followed their request with the text “Sent from iPad.” This tactic, combined with the use of the CJI’s name and image, likely aimed to convince the target of the message’s legitimacy.
This incident follows a similar case in March 2023, where a 42-year-old man was arrested for impersonating a Delhi Police crime branch inspector and defrauding two individuals of ₹4 lakh. The scammer in that case used the pretense of selling luxury cars and expensive cell phones supposedly auctioned by Delhi courts at discounted prices.
These incidents underscore the importance of being vigilant against social media scams, especially when dealing with requests for money or personal information from unfamiliar accounts. Always verify the identity of the sender and avoid sharing sensitive information online. Reporting such scams to the appropriate authorities is crucial for protecting yourself and others from falling victim to similar fraudulent activities.
