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Scammers Now Need Cab Fare? CJI Chandrachuds Fake Social Media Post Raises Eyebrows and Cyber Complaints

In a surprising twist of online fraud, even the Chief Justice of India (CJI) is not safe from scammers. Imagine scrolling through social media and suddenly coming across a post from someone pretending to be CJI DY Chandrachud, asking for ₹500 for a cab ride to an important meeting. It may sound like a joke, but this actually happened, leaving many people confused.

A scammer created a fake social media account using the** identity of the Chief Justice of India** and requested money for a cab fare. Yes, that's correct! This fake post quickly spread across the internet, prompting swift action from the CJI when a screenshot of the message began circulating online.

Image Credit: News18 - Scammer Poses as CJI DY Chandrachud, Requests Rs 500 for Cab Fare in Viral Scam

In the scam post, the fraudster used the name and photo of Chief Justice Chandrachud to ask for ₹500 from a social media user named Kailash Meghwal. The fake CJI claimed to be "stranded" at Connaught Place in Delhi and needed to get to a Collegium meeting at the Supreme Court. The scammer promised to return the money once he reached the court and even added a note saying, "sent from iPad" to make it seem more believable.

This might be the first time in history that a scammer tried to get a free ride to the highest court in the country! It sounds like a scene from a comedy, but the joke is on the public.

Swift Action from the Supreme Court

Naturally, the Supreme Court did not find this situation amusing. As soon as the post came to the CJI’s attention, the Court’s security team took immediate action. An official complaint was filed, and a First Information Report (FIR) was registered with the cybercrime department in Delhi. Authorities are now actively searching for the fraud who thought it was a good idea to pretend to be the Chief Justice of India for just ₹500.

A Growing Problem in the Digital Age

While this particular scam might seem amusing, it highlights a much larger issue: the rapid rise in online financial fraud. As more people use the internet for financial transactions, scammers are becoming more creative and bold, even going so far as to impersonate government officials and the Chief Justice of India.

According to a recent report from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), cases of financial fraud have increased by 166% in the financial year 2023-24, with over** 36,000 incidents reported.** To control this growing issue, the RBI plans to establish a Digital Payments Intelligence Platform. This new platform will help share information in real-time across the digital payments system to detect and prevent fraud.

Protect Yourself from Scammers

Although a scammer pretending to be the Chief Justice of India and asking for cab fare might make people laugh, online scams are a serious concern. Here are some simple steps to help avoid becoming a victim:

Check Before You Trust: If someone contacts you claiming to be a friend, family member, or someone important, but their message seems strange, do not respond immediately. Verify their identity through another source.
Report Suspicious Transactions: If you notice any charges on your account that you didn’t authorise, report them to your bank immediately and file a complaint with your local cybercrime department.
Protect Your Accounts: Use strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts, including social media. This helps protect your accounts from unauthorised access.
Double-Check Messages: Be cautious of emails or messages that contain many spelling errors or unusual requests. These are often signs of a scam.

Illustrative image showing fake sms screenshot

A Serious Note on Digital Safety

While people might laugh at the strange tricks scammers use, the threat they pose is real and growing. As more of our daily activities shift online, it is important to stay alert and protect ourselves from financial fraud. Scammers are becoming more technologically advanced, and so should everyone else—by staying informed and cautious.

In today's digital world, even the Chief Justice might "ask for a ride," but don't fall for it. Stay safe, and make sure your money stays where it belongs!

How to Protect Yourself from Digital Financial Fraud

With the increase in online transactions, it is important to know how to protect yourself from fraud. If you think you have been targeted, here are some steps you should take:

Report Immediately: If you find any unauthorised transactions, contact your bank right away. According to RBI guidelines, you should report these transactions within 14 days to minimise your liability and possibly receive a full refund.
Monitor Your Bank Statements: Regularly check your bank statements and transaction alerts. The sooner you spot unauthorised activity, the quicker you can act to prevent further damage.
Keep Your Accounts Safe: Regularly update your passwords with strong, unique ones, and use two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible to add an extra layer of security.
Stay Aware of Common Scams: Learn about common fraud methods, such as phishing emails, fake websites, and unauthorised apps. Being aware can help you recognize scams before they impact you.
Follow Up: After reporting fraud to your bank, ensure you follow up to confirm your complaint is being processed. Keep records of all communications for your reference.

By staying alert, informed, and cautious, people can better protect themselves from the growing threat of digital financial fraud.

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Written by Seersha Chaudhuri

Driven legal professional with a BA LLB and a knack for writing and media reporting. Previously, I’ve crafted legal documents and managed court proceedings at Terkiana PC, focusing on immigration law. I’m also brushing up on my Spanish with Duolingo—learning a new language has never been this fun! Eager to blend my expertise in legal research with my passion for global policy and creative writing. Apart from being a professional, I am a full time lover of fish, dystopian fiction and Brooklyn 99.