The Azerbaijan Press Council has warned about fake WhatsApp accounts being created in journalists’ names.
The council provided the information to “Operative Information Center-OMM”, Operative Information Center-OMM reports.
It said reports had emerged in recent days of fake WhatsApp accounts being created in the names of prominent journalists and used to send messages on various subjects.
Statements by law enforcement agencies indicate that such activity is carried out by organized cybercriminal networks operating outside Azerbaijan, the council said:
“These groups use artificial intelligence algorithms and specialized software to target civil servants, employees of various enterprises and organizations, journalists and other citizens. Despite numerous awareness-raising initiatives, some people continue to fall victim to such fraud.”
The Azerbaijan Press Council said these cases were not limited to isolated incidents and could become a worrying trend, and urged journalists and media workers in general to remain vigilant:
“It is important not to trust, reply to or share suspicious messages without first checking whether they are genuine, even if they appear to come from someone you know. In particular, the source and authenticity of information with political or public affairs content should be verified. Messages sent through fake accounts are intended to create a false impression of people, damage their reputations and mislead public opinion.”
The Press Council recommends that people who encounter similar cases take the following steps:
“Call the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ 102 service and notify law enforcement agencies. You can also contact the police station in your area.
Contact the National Cybersecurity Agency. Send information about the incident to [email protected] or call the agency’s 1654 hotline.
Inform the public. Use your personal social media accounts to make it known that a fake account is operating in your name. Let people know that messages sent from that account are not yours and should not be treated as true.
Report the fake account to WhatsApp. To do so, open the account’s profile and use the reporting function. Keep screenshots of messages sent from the fake account, its phone number and other relevant information as evidence. You can also ask other people affected to submit reports. Reports from at least 15 people are more effective.
Verify messages through alternative channels. If you receive a suspicious message in the name of someone you know, contact them by phone or through another previously established means of communication to confirm whether it is genuine.”
Journalists and other media representatives who encounter such cases can also notify the Azerbaijan Press Council and contact it for support.
The Azerbaijan Press Council urged journalists and the public to remain alert in the digital environment, verify information sources and avoid enabling the spread of possible provocations carried out through fake accounts.
