Mumbai doctor targeted in morphing scam using Fake Instagram accounts

Mumbai: In a distressing incident, a doctor from a renowned hospital in south Mumbai reportedly became the latest target of a 'morphing scam' after obscene morphed photos of him were posted on several fake Instagram accounts.

The police investigating the case arrested a woman for allegedly creating multiple fake Instagram accounts in the doctor's name and posting obscene, morphed photos to harass and defame him.

According to the police, the woman sought to defame the doctor out of revenge, as she felt ignored by him during their relationship. In an attempt to "teach him a lesson," she carried out the crime.

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The incident came to light on February 18, when the doctor was informed by a female friend that she had received a follow request from an Instagram account bearing his name. Upon checking the profile, she was shocked to find obscene and morphed photos of the doctor uploaded on it. She then informed the doctor who checked the profile himself and found multiple other accounts created in his name.

Speaking to The Indian Express, an officer said, “When the complainant checked himself, he found the respective account. As he probed further, he discovered multiple other accounts created in his name. He also noticed that his morphed pictures, which were obscene in nature, had been posted on all those fake accounts.”

Determined to take action, he filed a complaint at the D B Marg police station, prompting the registration of a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Information Technology (IT) Act.

During the investigation, the police managed to obtain the mobile number from which the Instagram accounts were created. It was then revealed that a woman was responsible for the crime. By tracing the IP addresses, the police located her at her residential building in south Mumbai. A team was sent to her location, and she was subsequently detained.

Upon being interrogated, the woman confessed to the crime and revealed her relationship with the doctor and the reason behind her committing the crime. Following this, the police seized her mobile phone and sent it for forensic examination. 

“The woman was brought to the police station for questioning, during which she confessed to the crime. She alleged that she had been dating the doctor for some time, but recently he had started ignoring her. As she wanted to teach him a lesson, she created multiple Instagram accounts and posted his morphed pictures to harass him,” said senior police inspector Sanjay Gaikwad.

“We are investigating whether the woman has created fake accounts on other social media platforms using the same method. The SIM card used to commit the crime is registered in someone else’s name, so we are trying to determine if anyone else is involved in the crime,” an officer said.