Hyderabad Techie Creates Fake Instagram Profile, Harasses Woman

Hyderabad Cyber Crime police have arrested a 30-year-old software engineer for allegedly creating a fake Instagram account and using it to post abusive, defamatory and sexually explicit comments targeting a woman who is a politically exposed person.

The accused was arrested in connection with a case registered by the Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police Station. 

Police said the complainant approached them after objectionable comments were posted in October 2025 on a video featuring her. The video was originally uploaded by the "Pura Local" Instagram channel and was subsequently circulated on social media.

Investigators alleged that the accused deliberately operated a fictitious Instagram profile to conceal his identity and posted highly offensive and defamatory remarks in a public forum. 

''The alleged posts were intended to damage the complainant's reputation, attack her dignity and cause public humiliation,'' police said. 

Based on the complaint filed by the victim, a case was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The accused was subsequently arrested.

According to investigators, the accused allegedly adopted a targeted digital-harassment strategy by using an anonymous account to publish inflammatory and indecent material. Police said the public nature of the posts increased their reach and was allegedly intended to provoke hostility and cause reputational harm.

The Cyber Crime team traced the digital trail and apprehended the accused in Hyderabad. One mobile phone was seized from him and is being examined as part of the investigation.

The Cyber Crime officials said that hiding behind a fake social media identity does not protect offenders from investigation, as digital evidence can help investigators trace the person operating an account. 

Police said the investigation would examine the seized device and other available digital evidence.

Police have issued an advisory urging citizens not to immediately delete abusive online content. Victims should first preserve screenshots of the profile, objectionable posts, URLs and date-and-time details before blocking or reporting the account.

Cyber Crime police also advised users to report suspicious profiles through the relevant social media platform, strengthen privacy settings and avoid accepting requests from unknown or newly created accounts.

Police cautioned that fake accounts used to impersonate people or circulate abusive, defamatory or sexually explicit material can be traced through digital evidence and may lead to criminal action.

Citizens facing cybercrime or online financial fraud can contact the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or file a complaint through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

The investigation is still on.