Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Thursday, 22 October 2026, directed authorities to file an FIR against a fraudulent WhatsApp channel impersonating the Deputy Chief Minister's Office (Deputy CMO) of Andhra Pradesh. The fake channel, operating under the name 'Deputy CMO, Andhra Pradesh', has been circulating misleading information while falsely presenting itself as an official government handle.

What the Fake Channel Was Doing

According to a statement issued by the Deputy Chief Minister's Office, the unauthorised channel was misusing the office's identity to spread misinformation and circulate unrelated content. The office made clear the channel carries no official sanction. 'This unauthorised channel is misusing the Office's identity and circulating misleading information and unrelated content. Such impersonation and the deliberate spread of misinformation are unacceptable and will be dealt with firmly. An FIR is being initiated, and strict legal action will be pursued against those responsible,' the statement read.

Public Advisory Issued

The Deputy CMO's Office has urged citizens to exercise caution and avoid trusting, following, or sharing content from the fake channel. The statement added: 'The public is strongly advised NOT to trust, follow or circulate content from this fake channel. Please rely exclusively on the officially authorised social media handles and the verified WhatsApp channel of the Deputy Chief Minister's Office for authentic information and official updates.' The office warned that misuse of a government identity will not be tolerated and those found responsible will be held accountable under the law.

Why This Matters

The incident highlights a growing pattern of digital impersonation targeting state government offices across India. Fake channels mimicking official handles have previously been used to spread political disinformation, fabricated policy announcements, and in some cases, financial fraud. This is not an isolated occurrence — multiple state governments have previously issued similar advisories against fake social media accounts and messaging channels. In Andhra Pradesh, where the new NDA-backed government led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has been active on digital outreach, the misuse of official branding carries significant public trust implications.

Birthday Greetings to Amit Shah

Separately, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan conveyed birthday greetings to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. 'May you be blessed with good health, strength and a long life to continue serving our nation with dedication. Wishing you many more years of service towards a secure, prosperous and Viksit Bharat,' Kalyan said. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu also greeted Shah, saying: 'Your unwavering dedication, strong leadership, and tireless efforts for the nation's security and unity continue to inspire us all.' Minister for Human Resources Development and Information Technology Nara Lokesh echoed the sentiments, adding that 'Andhra Pradesh is grateful for your steady support to the people of our state.'

What Happens Next

An FIR has been set in motion, and investigators are expected to trace the operators of the fake channel. With the Andhra Pradesh government signalling zero tolerance for digital impersonation, similar fraudulent handles risk swift legal action. The public has been directed to verify all official communications exclusively through authenticated government channels.