Thiruvananthapuram: A fake WhatsApp message was sent to a Collectorate employee in the name of District Collector (DC) Geromic George asking for Rs 50,000 through PhonePe. The employee received the message around 5 PM on Saturday.

“I am sending a  number. Can you transfer Rs 50,000 immediately through Phonepe? I will return your money within an hour,” the message read.

The first message received introduced the sender as the Collector, Geromic George. Two WhatsApp calls were made but since the employee did not receive the calls, a message demanding the money was sent. The employee immediately informed the DC. 

The DC handed over the fraudster’s information to the City police commissioner and also lodged an official complaint. The DC made a post on Facebook warning people against the message sent in his name.

City police commissioner C.H Nagaraju said that the fake message created in the name of the collector had been brought to his notice and that an investigation has begun. 

It is suggested that Nigerian gangs who function from outside the country are behind such scams. Fake messages are sent to employees in the name of higher officials. The city police commissioner said that one should be very careful about fake messages.