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Notary Services process provided by PEACE

Notary Services process provided by PEACE:

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Fake Instagram/Facebook Accounts: Legal Steps to Report and Remove Them

Fake Instagram/Facebook Accounts: Legal Steps to Report and Remove Them


All the legal information you wanted to know about Fake Instagram/Facebook Accounts: Legal Steps to Report and Remove Them

Fake social media accounts are not just a nuisance — they are a serious threat to privacy, reputation, and mental health. Whether someone is impersonating you to scam others, harass you, or defame your character, Indian law offers strong legal remedies. This guide explains how to legally report and remove fake Facebook or Instagram accounts in India, and what legal action you can take under the IT Act and IPC.

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Signs of a Fake Account

Fake Instagram or Facebook profiles often have one or more of the following:

  • Stolen profile pictures (often of you or someone you know).
  • Impersonation — using your name, bio, or location.
  • Strange friend requests or DMs to your contacts.
  • Promoting scams, adult content, or malicious links.
  • No genuine activity — only a few posts and random followers.

Why Are Fake Profiles Created?

People may create fake accounts to:

  • Scam others using your name or identity.
  • Harass, threaten, or defame you online.
  • Catfish or trick someone into a romantic or financial trap.
  • Spread misinformation or defame a business.
  • Impersonate public figures or influencers for gain.

No matter the reason, impersonation is illegal and must be reported immediately — both to the platform and to Indian cybercrime authorities.

How to Report Fake Instagram or Facebook Accounts

Instagram:

  1. Go to the profile of the fake account.
  2. Tap the three-dot menu > Report.
  3. Select “Report Account” > “It’s pretending to be someone else” > “Me”.
  4. Instagram may ask for identity verification — upload Aadhaar, PAN, or a selfie if requested.

Facebook:

  1. Visit the fake profile page.
  2. Click the three dots under the cover photo > “Find support or report profile”.
  3. Choose “Pretending to be someone” > “Me”.
  4. Follow instructions. You can also visit Facebook’s impersonation help page.

Impersonation using fake accounts is a punishable offence under Indian law:

  • Section 66C, IT Act: Identity theft using passwords or digital info (punishable up to 3 years).
  • Section 66D, IT Act: Impersonation by using communication devices to cheat others.
  • IPC Section 419: Punishment for cheating by personation (up to 3 years).
  • IPC Section 500: Criminal defamation if the account is spreading falsehoods.
  • IPC Section 354D: Cyberstalking if the fake account is contacting or tracking you repeatedly.

Filing a Cyber Complaint in India

Online Complaint:

  1. Visit cybercrime.gov.in.
  2. Click “Report Cybercrime” and choose “Report Other Cybercrimes”.
  3. Create an account with your mobile number and log in.
  4. File a complaint under “Impersonation” or “Social Media Fraud”.
  5. Upload all evidence — screenshots, fake profile links, messages, and your own ID proof.

Offline FIR:

  1. Go to your nearest Cyber Crime Cell or police station.
  2. File a written complaint explaining the impersonation clearly.
  3. Include printed evidence — profile screenshots, messages, URLs.
  4. Mention the relevant IPC and IT Act sections (as above).

Police and cyber cells are increasingly responsive to social media misuse complaints, especially when reputation or safety is involved.

Collecting Evidence

Before the fake profile is deleted by the platform or user, make sure you collect:

  • Screenshots of the entire profile, including bio, username, and display picture.
  • Chat conversations or DMs showing impersonation or harm.
  • Profile URL (copy it directly).
  • Links to your real profile to establish the identity theft.

How to Prevent Future Misuse

  • Set your Instagram and Facebook to private — or limit who can follow/message you.
  • Use watermarking apps to add your handle to your profile pictures.
  • Don’t share high-resolution face images or personal ID online.
  • Report suspicious profiles as soon as they appear.
  • Tell friends and family not to accept duplicate friend requests or follow requests.

Back to Pillar: Cyber Law for the Everyday Indian

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Location: India