Speaker flags concern on fraud bids using VIP identities

SHILLONG, April 22: After becoming a victim of a potential cybercrime recently, Meghalaya Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh has flagged concern on the rise of VIP impersonation cases to commit fraud. Only recently, cybercriminals attempted fraud bid by creating fake WhatsApp account using the Assembly Speaker’s name and picture, and then went on seeking urgent financial help from potential victims.
Similar cases were reported with victims as Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister, Sanbor Shullai, and Health Minister, James PK Sangma.
Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh said it is scary and the same time concerning that technology is used in this manner. He urged the people to be careful and to verify before making any kind of payment online.
According to Metbah, the fraudster had managed to contact several of the Speaker’s colleagues, especially legislators from the Assembly. Narrating how the events unfolded for him, Metbah said that his colleagues forwarded the screenshot of the messages that they received from the WhatsApp number to him.
He said that the legislators had found the kind of messages they received from the WhatsApp number unusual which made them compelled to call the Speaker.