Ambernath: A company in Ambernath West has allegedly been cheated of Rs 10 lakh after a fraudster created a fake WhatsApp profile using the company owner’s name and photograph. Following a complaint, Ambernath West Police have registered a case against unidentified accused.

According to police information, the fraudster allegedly created a fake WhatsApp account using mobile number 9030023354 and the name, photograph, and display picture of Ajaykumar Pillai, owner and director of Okobilaz Bioken Company, located in the MIDC area of Kansai Village, Ambernath West.

Using the fake profile, the accused sent messages to the company, creating the impression that the instructions were coming directly from Pillai. The messages reportedly directed the company to immediately transfer Rs 10 lakh to a Bandhan Bank account.

Believing the communication to be genuine, the company transferred the amount, resulting in a substantial financial loss.

After discovering the alleged fraud, company representative Sachin Raghunath Patil, 42, lodged a complaint at Ambernath West Police Station. Based on the complaint, police registered a case under Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, which deals with cheating by personation using computer resources.

Assistant Police Inspector Sunil Bhadane is conducting further investigation to identify the accused and trace the money.