Paytm founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma recently took to social media to share a bizarre exchange with a scammer who attempted to impersonate him. In a post titled “Impersonating Myself to Me,” Sharma revealed a series of WhatsApp messages where the fraudster introduced himself as Vijay Shekhar Sharma and asked the real CEO to save his “new” phone number.
Scammer’s Bold Attempt & Sharma’s Witty Response
- The impersonator requested Sharma to verify company funds and report back.
- The scammer demanded contact details of Paytm’s finance head and even asked Sharma to forward a suspicious .exe file disguised as a GST document.
- Playing along, Sharma cheekily suggested the impersonator should consider a salary hike, leaving netizens amused.
Cyber Fraud Concerns & Government Action
The incident highlights the growing sophistication of online scams, where fraudsters use fake profiles, malicious links, and impersonation tactics to deceive individuals. In response to rising cyber fraud cases, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has introduced the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) to enhance intelligence sharing among banks, UPI service providers, and financial institutions.
Social Media Reactions & Viral Buzz
Sharma’s post quickly went viral, with users mocking the scammer’s lack of research and execution. Some joked about the confidence required to impersonate someone to themselves, while others pointed out the seriousness of digital fraud.
With cybersecurity threats on the rise, experts urge users to remain vigilant against impersonation scams and phishing attempts.
For more updates on cybersecurity and digital fraud prevention, stay tuned!
