Cyber Fraudsters Try to Fool Zogam Today Editor — But Fail!

LAMKA, September 22, 2026: A seemingly innocent Facebook friend request turned into an attempted cyber-fraud operation targeting the editor of Zogam Today, in a case that offers an important warning to social-media users across Lamka.

As technology advances, so do the methods used by cyber criminals. What begins as a simple Facebook conversation can quickly turn into an attempt to gain a person’s trust — and eventually their money.

The incident began on September 21, when a Facebook account using the name and identity of Shri Shivanand Surve, IPS, a former SP of Lamka, sent a friend request to the Zogam Today editor.

The account then contacted the editor through Facebook Messenger.

The person behind the account claimed that his friend, Sumit Kumar, an Assistant Commandant posted at the CRPF camp in Langjing, Imphal, was being transferred. He said Sumit wanted to send his household belongings and asked the editor to provide a WhatsApp number so that his “friend” could contact him.

Unaware that the Facebook account was fake, the editor shared his phone number.

The following morning, September 22, a WhatsApp user identifying himself as Sumit Kumar called from +91 7427821893.

The caller claimed to be an Assistant Commandant at the Langjing CRPF camp and said he was being transferred. He offered to sell his household belongings for ₹1,20,000, and even shared photographs of the items to make the story appear genuine. 

At this point, however, the editor became suspicious.

Instead of proceeding with the proposed transaction, Zogam Today contacted the Additional SP (Law & Order), Churachandpur, and sought information about the former SP, Shivanand Surve.

The editor then spoke directly with Shivanand Surve.

The revelation was immediate.

Mr Surve told the editor that he has never used Facebook.

That confirmed that someone had been falsely using his name and identity to establish credibility and approach the editor.

Eight names, one suspicious number

When Zogam Today attempted to establish the identity behind the WhatsApp number, the investigation became even more puzzling.

The same number was found associated with different names, including Sumit Kumar, Puja Rajput, Jay Hind, Rohan Ji Sendariya, Unknown, Roshan Khan, Maid Jaipur and Roshan.

The WhatsApp number also did not appear to be linked to Google Pay, adding another suspicious element to the episode.

While the attempted fraud did not succeed, the incident demonstrates how easily cyber fraudsters can construct a believable story by combining fake identities, social-media profiles, phone calls, photographs and personal conversations.

A warning to Lamka

The incident is a reminder that not every Facebook profile is genuine and not every WhatsApp caller is who they claim to be.

Cyber fraudsters may use the names of police officers, government officials, military or paramilitary personnel, businessmen, friends or relatives to gain trust.

Therefore, residents are urged to remain extremely cautious.

Never send money simply because someone contacts you through Facebook or WhatsApp.

Never trust an unknown person merely because they use the name, photograph or identity of someone you know.

Before making any financial transaction, independently verify the person's identity through a trusted and separate source.

The Zogam Today episode ended without financial loss — but it could easily have ended differently.

For residents of Lamka, the message is simple:

STOP. VERIFY. THEN TRUST.

A few minutes of verification can prevent the loss of your hard-earned money.

~ ZOGAM TODAY (Since May 2011)