OOTY: Authorities in the Nilgiris district have registered a case following reports that scammers are impersonating the District Collector in an attempt to defraud the public. This is not the first instance of the Collector’s identity being misused for fraudulent activities, as a similar attempt was reported last year.
The Nilgiris district police have appealed to residents to exercise caution and remain vigilant against online fraud and impersonation scams. They urged the public to report any suspicious activities or attempts at extortion to the police promptly.
The modus operandi typically involves creating fake social media or communication accounts using the official’s photograph and name. Scammers then contact individuals, often those associated with the official’s office or their acquaintances, with fabricated stories, such as a bank account issue, and request urgent financial assistance through money transfers or gift cards.
In a previous incident in October 2020, fraudsters impersonated District Collector J. Innocent Divya by creating a fake email account. The scam involved attempts to trick high-ranking officials within the district administration into purchasing online gift cards. The scam was thwarted when alert officials brought the suspicious emails to the Collector’s attention, who then alerted the police. The police initiated efforts to trace the IP address of the sender to identify the culprits.
The official email address for the Nilgiris Collectorate is collrnlg@nic.in. The administration has cautioned the public against responding to emails or messages claiming to be from the Collector if they originate from any other email address or communication channel. Residents are advised to verify the authenticity of any such communication directly with the Collectorate or through official channels before taking any action.
The District Crime Branch police had previously arrested a man from Kotagiri in February 2025 for defrauding residents by falsely claiming to secure government jobs for them in exchange for money. This individual had also reportedly forged identity cards and appointment letters. The scam came to light when a victim approached the then District Collector, Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru, during a grievance redress meeting.
The Nilgiris district administration emphasizes the importance of public awareness regarding cybercrime. Residents are encouraged to report any such fraudulent activities by contacting the police on the provided helplines, which include 97898-00100 and 94981-01260. This repeated misuse of official identities highlights the persistent threat of online scams and the need for continuous vigilance from the public.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
