close
Tuesday December 10, 2024

Vidya Balan fights back against her fake social media accounts

Vidya Balan has alerted the authorities to fake Instagram extortion scam

By Anika Khan
February 21, 2024
Vidya Balans name used in fake Instagram money scheme
Vidya Balan's name used in fake Instagram money scheme

Vidya Balan, Bollywood actress, has taken legal action by lodging a complaint with the Khar police about fake email, Instagram, and WhatsApp accounts made in her name.

As reported by the Hindustan Times, Balan filed FIR to Mumbai police for an unidentified scammer utilizing these accounts to approach individuals in the entertainment industry, falsely promising job opportunities in exchange for money.

Khar Police initiated the FIR under Section 66 (C) of IT, meanwhile a police officer mentioned that an unknown individual created a fake Instagram account and Gmail account in the actress' name to contact people in Bollywood.

The police official told, “This designer immediately contacted the actress to alert her that someone claiming to be her had texted him. Balan was informed about similar activities being done over e-mail as well as on Instagram by other industry contacts.”

He also said that some recipients reported that the sender asked for money.

Previously, the 45-year-old actress has also talked about this issue on her Instagram stories.

Earlier this year, she wrote, "Hello everyone. First, it was a phone number, and now someone is using this account @vidya.balan.pvt and reaching out to people as me."

Vidya Balan fights back against her fake social media accounts

"My team and I have, of course, reported it, but if you can do report the account as well, it will be of great help," she added.

On the work front, Balan will next be seen in the upcoming film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 as her iconic character of Manjulika.

The male lead of the film, Kartik Aaryan initially announced the news and welcomed Balan in the film.

He shared an Instagram post, noting, "Super thrilled to welcome @balanvidya. This Diwali is going to be crackling #BhoolBhulaiyaa3 @aneesbazmee @tseries.official #BhushanKumar."