Mumbai: Man creates fake FB account of BJP corporator, demands money from his friends; plaint filed

BJP corporator Prakash Gangadhare shows the fake Facebook profile. Pic/Rajesh Gupta

BJP corporator Prakash Gangadhare on Friday filed a police complaint against an imposter, who allegedly created a fake Facebook account and demanded money from his friends and relatives. Gangadhare, a corporator from Mulund, alleged that he received several calls from his friends and relatives asking why he needs money.

On January 28, Gangadhare's friend advocate Susheel Shilwan called him asking why he needs money. Confused by his friend's query, Gangadhare told him that he hasn't demanded any money and somebody could have sent a message mischievously. A day later, Gangadhare's associate Anand Kulkarni showed him a Facebook account in his name having the same display picture. Following this, he filed a complaint at Mulund police station.

Speaking to Mid-day, Gangadhare said, "The imposter was chatting with people in my friend list and demanding Rs 25,000. I am not aware if anyone has paid any money but as my friends and associates alerted me, I filed a police complaint against an unknown person."

An offence has been registered under IPC sections 419 (cheating by impersonation), 420 (cheating), and relevant sections of the Information and Technology Act (2000). "An FIR has been registered, we are now tracing the link or mobile number shared by the imposter for depositing money in E-wallet," an officer from Mulund police station said.