Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Fake WhatsApp Messages Use Collector’s Name and Photograph
Someone has been pretending to be the Mulugu district collector on WhatsApp.
The fake messages use his name and photo.
The collector said the messages are not genuine.
He warned people not to reply to the number or share money or private information.
People should block and report the number on WhatsApp.
Anyone who receives a suspicious message in his name should tell the cybercrime police.
The collector said fraudsters may use officials’ identities to make people trust them.
Fraudsters allegedly used Mulugu district collector Borkhade Hemant Sahadevrao’s name and photograph on WhatsApp.
The messages were reportedly sent from the number +66 98 476 2993.
The collector said recipients should not assume messages are genuine because they carry his name and photograph.
He advised people to block and report the number and not share money, gift cards, personal or banking information, or passwords.
Officials, staff, and members of the public were urged to report suspicious messages to cybercrime police.
- Who
- Cyber fraudsters allegedly impersonated Mulugu district collector Borkhade Hemant Sahadevrao.
- What
- Fake WhatsApp messages were sent using the collector’s name and photograph.
- When
- Not stated in the article.
- Where
- WhatsApp; the collector is identified as Mulugu district collector, in Warangal dateline.
- Why
- The collector warned that fraudsters use officials’ names and photographs to gain victims’ trust.
- Impersonated official
- Borkhade Hemant Sahadevrao, Mulugu district collector
- Messaging platform
- Reported number
- +66 98 476 2993
- Recommended action
- Do not respond; block and report the number on WhatsApp.
- Information not to share
- Money, gift cards, personal details, bank account information, or confidential passwords
- Reporting advice
- Report suspicious messages in the collector’s name to cybercrime police.