Indian law firm partners report impersonation on WhatsApp

Multiple partners at Indian law firms have reported impersonators using their names and photographs to send messages on instant messaging applications..Chairman & Founder of J Sagar Associates Jyoti Sagar took to his social media to say, "Someone is sending out fraudulent messages in my name with my profile photo from mobile number 9415924132. Please ignore the message and do not act on it.".Sherbir Panag, the Chair of Panag & Babu’s Compliance and Investigations Practice, also encountered a similar situation when messages signed on his behalf were sent by a number to a colleague.Following this, Panag has approached police authorities to tackle the issue..The same number impersonating Panag was later seen with an image of Anand and Anand Managing Partner Pravin Anand..Speaking on the issue, Panag told Bar & Bench,"It appears that someone is maliciously sending out fraudulent messages in the name of lawyers, asking for money. The entire scheme lacks sophistication but is distressing nonetheless. The same person that attempted to reach out to my colleagues, changed track later and started using Mr Pravin Anand’s name and photograph. I have reported the matter to the police.".Khaitan & Co Partner Ajay Bhargava also reported a similar cyber threat wherein a message claiming to be him asked colleagues to purchase Google Play gift cards purportedly for an "important prospect". Bhargava shared with Bar & Bench that two of his colleagues were about to make the payment, but were stopped in the nick of time. He has also filed a complaint with the Cyber Police for the offences of cheating by personation as well as cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property..Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.