CHENNAI: Ranipet Collector Baskara Pandian became the latest target of a scamster, who is using his photograph as display pictures on Whatsapp, and sending messages to officials asking them to buy an Amazon gift voucher and send him.

The scamster pasted Pandian's pic as the display profile and when officials responded, he asked them to purchase 300 Amazon gift coupons of Rs 10,000 each. He wanted the respondents to buy and forward them within hours as the Collector was reportedly in a meeting.

Alert officials contacted the Collector, who denied asking for help, and immediately alerted Ranipet district cyber crime officials while the district PRO put out a warning on social media against locals falling prey to the ploy.

Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!

Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!

Click here for iOS

Click here for Android