Rajasthan Police warn of rising 'boss' impersonation fraud targeting employees
Synopsis
Rajasthan Police have flagged a sophisticated new wave of workplace fraud where criminals use AI voice cloning, fake WhatsApp profiles, and spoofed emails to impersonate senior officials and pressure employees into urgent payments. With AI tools now widely accessible, this is no longer a fringe threat — it is a mainstream organisational risk.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan Police Cyber Crime Branch issued a fraud advisory on 29 April 2025 under ADG V.
Fraudsters use LinkedIn, Facebook , and departmental WhatsApp groups to map targets and gather contact details.
Artificial intelligence is being used to clone officials' voices and send spoofed emails mimicking official addresses.
Common tactics include fake urgency, requests for gift vouchers or bank transfers , and fabricated medical emergencies.
Citizens should report fraud via Cyber Helpline 1930 or www.cybercrime.gov.in immediately.
The Cyber Crime Branch of the Rajasthan Police on Tuesday, 29 April 2025, issued a special advisory warning of a sharp rise in impersonation fraud cases across Rajasthan, where criminals pose as senior officials to dupe government and private sector employees into making urgent payments or sharing sensitive information.
How the Fraud Works
According to Deputy Inspector General of Police (Cyber Crime) Shantanu Kumar Singh, fraudsters begin by harvesting detailed information from official websites and social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook to map organisational hierarchies and ongoing work. In some cases, they reportedly infiltrate departmental WhatsApp groups to access employee contact lists.
Armed with this data, the criminals create fake profiles using the display pictures of senior officials and send urgent messages claiming to be in meetings while demanding immediate financial transfers, gift vouchers, or other payments. The urgency is deliberate — designed to prevent victims from pausing to verify the request.
AI-Powered Voice Cloning and Spoofed Emails
In more sophisticated attacks, fraudsters are reportedly using artificial intelligence to clone the voices of senior officials, making phone calls appear entirely genuine. Spoofed emails that closely resemble official addresses — differing only in minor character changes — are also being used to lend credibility to fraudulent requests.
Another common tactic involves fabricating fake medical emergencies to pressure employees into making immediate payments without due diligence. Notably, this pattern of AI-assisted impersonation fraud has been reported across multiple Indian states in recent months, signalling a broader national trend.
Advisory Issued Under ADG's Directions
The advisory was issued under the directions of V. K. Singh, Additional Director General of Police (Cyber Crime). Authorities have advised both government and private employees to always verify such requests by calling the official's known and verified phone number, and to avoid trusting profile pictures alone as proof of identity.
Citizens have also been urged to remain cautious of any message that creates a sense of urgency, and to never share one-time passwords (OTPs), bank details, or sensitive personal information over messaging platforms under any circumstances.
How to Report Cyber Fraud
The Rajasthan Police have asked anyone who encounters such fraud or an attempt to report it immediately via the Cyber Helpline (1930), the national online portal www.cybercrime.gov.in, or the nearest cyber police station. Timely reporting, according to officials, can help prevent financial loss and assist investigators in tracking perpetrators before funds are moved.
As AI tools become cheaper and more accessible, cyber experts warn that voice-cloning and deepfake-based fraud is likely to intensify — making verification habits an essential line of defence for organisations across India.
Point of View
AI voice cloning will keep finding willing victims. The Rajasthan Police deserve credit for the advisory, but awareness campaigns alone will not solve a problem rooted in organisational behaviour.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'boss impersonation' fraud that Rajasthan Police have warned about?
It is a cyber fraud where criminals pose as senior officials by creating fake profiles, cloning voices using AI, or sending spoofed emails to pressure employees into transferring money or sharing sensitive information. The Rajasthan Police Cyber Crime Branch issued an advisory about a sharp rise in such cases on 29 April 2025.
How do fraudsters gather information to carry out this fraud?
According to DIG Shantanu Kumar Singh, fraudsters harvest data from official websites, LinkedIn, and Facebook to understand organisational hierarchies. In some cases, they reportedly infiltrate departmental WhatsApp groups to access employee contact lists directly.
How can employees protect themselves from boss impersonation fraud?
Employees should always verify urgent financial requests by calling the official's known phone number directly, never rely on profile pictures alone, and avoid sharing OTPs, bank details, or sensitive information over messaging apps. Any sense of manufactured urgency should be treated as a red flag.
Where can victims of cyber fraud report in Rajasthan?
Victims can report fraud immediately via the national Cyber Helpline at 1930, the online portal www.cybercrime.gov.in, or by visiting the nearest cyber police station. Prompt reporting can help prevent financial loss and aid in tracking perpetrators.
Is AI voice cloning being used in cyber fraud in India?
Yes, according to the Rajasthan Police advisory, fraudsters are increasingly using artificial intelligence to clone the voices of senior officials, making fraudulent calls appear genuine. This is part of a broader national trend of AI-assisted impersonation fraud reported across multiple Indian states.
