Cyber Fraudsters Exploit WhatsApp Ahead of Eid: Target VCs and Journalists
Cybercriminals have set traps on WhatsApp ahead of Eid, using images of police officers and falsely identifying themselves as Sub-Inspectors (SI). They call unsuspecting users, claiming security vulnerabilities and attempting to gain access to their phones. Many individuals have already fallen victim to these schemes, with hacked numbers being used to send messages requesting financial assistance.
The Cyber Crime Awareness Foundation (CCAF) has urged the public to exercise caution, advising against clicking on unknown links or sharing personal information over WhatsApp calls, even if the caller appears familiar. The organization reported that a fraudster attempted to hack the phone of Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Shahidul Islam by posing as a Sub-Inspector from Gulshan Police Station. Upon verification with the station, it was confirmed that this was a scam. A similar attempt was made on the phone of Desh Sangbad editor Mosharraf Hossain.
While these individuals managed to evade the scam, former Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Dhaka University, Professor Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman, was not as fortunate. On Saturday, March 22, his hacked WhatsApp number sent out messages to various contacts, stating: “I urgently need BDT 15,000. Please send it to this [bKash number].” One journalist, suspicious of the request, contacted Dr. Akhtaruzzaman directly, who confirmed that his WhatsApp had been hacked. Multiple individuals received the same fraudulent message from his number.
Not only Dr. Akhtaruzzaman but also several other university vice-chancellors have recently reported similar hacking incidents or fake WhatsApp profiles impersonating them to solicit money. Many of them have filed General Diary (GD) reports with the police. Victims claim they have either been hacked or that fraudsters are using fake identities to deceive others.
In recent days, fake WhatsApp profiles have been created using the names and images of Jahangirnagar University (JU) VC Professor Dr. Kamrul Ahsan, Islamic University (IU) VC Professor Dr. Nakib Mohammad Nasrullah, National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam University VC Professor Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam, and Jagannath University (JnU) VC Professor Dr. Rezaul Karim. These fraudulent accounts have been used to send misleading messages asking for money. The victims have lodged police reports to address the issue.
On Saturday, March 22, the Jagannath University VC posted a warning on his personal Facebook account, stating: “Using my official photo, someone from the number 01856064528 is asking for money. This is not my number. Please do not send any money. Thank you.” Following this revelation, the university administration filed a General Diary (GD) with the relevant police station.
Similarly, on Thursday, March 20, the Registrar's Office of Islamic University issued a statement, warning that fraudsters had created a fake WhatsApp account impersonating VC Professor Dr. Nakib Mohammad Nasrullah. The statement read: “Fake and misleading messages are being sent using this fraudulent identity. Upon verification with the Vice-Chancellor, it has been confirmed that this is a fake account. We urge everyone to remain vigilant.”
On Saturday, a fake WhatsApp profile was also created under the name of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam University VC, Professor Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam. The fraudulent account used the number 01856064528, where a person named Mokarram was instructed to urgently send money via bKash.
Authorities believe that hackers and fraudsters are specifically targeting university vice-chancellors ahead of Eid. They have urged everyone to remain cautious.
Regarding the matter, Jagannath University VC’s Personal Secretary, Md. Anwar Hossain, said, “We have received reports that a fake account using the VC’s photo has requested BDT 40,000. We urge everyone to be aware of such scams.”
