If someone creates a fake profile using your name, photos, or personal details, it is a criminal offence under Indian law — identity theft under Section 66C of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (punishable with up to 3 years imprisonment and Rs 1 lakh fine) and cheating by personation under Section 66D. You should immediately report the fake profile to the social media platform for removal, file a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in), and file an FIR at your local police station.
Why this matters
Fake profiles are not just annoying — they can be genuinely dangerous. Impersonators use fake profiles to scam your friends and family, damage your reputation, harass others in your name, extract sensitive information, or commit financial fraud. In some cases, fake profiles are created to post defamatory or obscene content, which can affect your personal and professional life. The law treats this seriously because identity theft strikes at the core of your digital personhood.
Step-by-step: What to do
1. Document the fake profile immediately
Before taking any action to remove the profile, document everything. Take screenshots of:
- The fake profile page showing the name, photo, and bio
- Any posts, messages, or content shared from the fake profile
- The URL of the fake profile
- The date and time you discovered it
- Any messages you received from friends or contacts alerting you about it
In practice: Screenshots are your primary evidence. Take them immediately — the impersonator may delete the profile once they know you are aware of it. Use your phone's built-in screenshot tool and also email the screenshots to yourself for a timestamped backup.
2. Report to the social media platform
Every major platform has a mechanism for reporting impersonation:
- Facebook/Instagram (Meta): Go to the fake profile, tap the three dots, select "Find Support or Report," then "Pretending to be someone" and select "Me"
- X (Twitter): Report the account for impersonation through the profile options
- LinkedIn: Use "Report this profile" and select "This profile is pretending to be someone"
- WhatsApp: Report the account from the chat or contact info screen
In practice: Platforms are legally required to act on impersonation reports under the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. They must acknowledge complaints within 24 hours and remove content within 36 hours of a valid court or government order. For impersonation specifically, most platforms have expedited processes.
Important: Under the IT Intermediary Guidelines, 2021 (Rule 3), every social media platform with more than 50 lakh users must appoint a Grievance Officer, a Nodal Contact Person, and a Chief Compliance Officer in India. You can escalate your complaint to these officers if the platform does not act on your initial report.
3. File a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in
Visit the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and file a complaint under "Other Cyber Crime." Provide:
- Your identity proof (to establish you are the real person)
- Screenshots of the fake profile
- The platform name and URL of the fake profile
- Details of any harm caused (financial fraud, defamation, harassment)
- Any information about the suspected impersonator
In practice: The complaint is forwarded to the cyber police in the relevant jurisdiction. You will receive a complaint number to track the status.
4. File an FIR at your local police station
Visit your nearest police station and file an FIR under:
- Section 66C, IT Act (identity theft — using another person's electronic signature, password, or unique identification feature)
- Section 66D, IT Act (cheating by personation using a computer resource)
- Section 356, BNS (if the fake profile was used for defamation)
- Section 318, BNS (if the fake profile was used for cheating or fraud)
In practice: Carry your Aadhaar card or other ID proof, your screenshots, the cybercrime.gov.in complaint receipt, and any other evidence. If the police are reluctant to file an FIR, remind them that these are cognizable offences and they are legally required to register the case.
5. Alert your contacts
Inform your friends, family, and professional contacts that a fake profile exists in your name. Post on your real profiles warning people not to engage with the fake account. This limits the damage the impersonator can do.
In practice: A simple post stating "A fake profile using my name/photos is circulating. Please do not accept friend requests or respond to messages from it. I have reported it to the police" goes a long way.
6. Get a court order for removal (if the platform is slow)
If the platform does not remove the profile despite your reports, you can approach the civil court for an injunction directing the platform to remove the fake profile. Courts have consistently granted such orders, particularly when the fake profile is being used for defamation or harassment.
What if things go wrong
If the police refuse to file an FIR
Write a complaint to the Superintendent of Police (SP) or approach the Judicial Magistrate under Section 175(3) of the BNSS directing the police to register the FIR. You can also escalate through the cybercrime.gov.in portal.
If the platform does not remove the profile
Escalate to the platform's India-based Grievance Officer (contact details are usually on the platform's website under "Legal" or "Terms of Service"). If that fails, file a complaint with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) or approach the court for a removal order.
If the fake profile is being used to commit fraud
If the impersonator is using the fake profile to scam your contacts for money, this is cheating under Section 318 of the BNS — a serious offence punishable with up to 7 years imprisonment. Alert your contacts immediately and ensure this is mentioned in your FIR.
If you do not know who created the fake profile
The police can trace the creator through digital forensics — IP addresses, device fingerprints, and account creation details that the platform retains. The IT Act empowers investigating officers to request this information from platforms.
Documents and resources you need
- Screenshots of the fake profile — with URL, content, and date
- Your ID proof — Aadhaar, PAN, or passport to establish your real identity
- Cybercrime portal complaint receipt — with complaint number
- Platform report acknowledgement — if available
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: https://cybercrime.gov.in
- Cybercrime helpline: 1930
Common myths
Myth: Creating a fake profile is just a prank, not a crime. Reality: Identity theft (Section 66C, IT Act) is a criminal offence punishable with up to 3 years imprisonment and a Rs 1 lakh fine. The law makes no distinction between malicious and "prank" impersonation.
Myth: You cannot do anything if the profile does not use your exact name. Reality: If the profile uses your photographs, personal details, or is clearly designed to impersonate you (even with a slightly different name), it still constitutes identity theft and impersonation.
Myth: Social media platforms are not responsible for fake profiles. Reality: Platforms lose their safe harbour protection under Section 79 of the IT Act if they fail to act on valid complaints about impersonation. They are required to have grievance mechanisms and to act within specified timelines.
The law behind this
| Offence | IT Act | BNS | Punishment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identity theft | Section 66C | — | Up to 3 years + Rs 1 lakh fine |
| Cheating by personation | Section 66D | Section 318 | Up to 3 years + Rs 1 lakh fine |
| Defamation via fake profile | — | Section 356 | Up to 2 years + fine |
| Criminal intimidation | — | Section 351 | Up to 2 years + fine |
| Platform's duty to act | IT Intermediary Guidelines, Rule 3 | — | Loss of safe harbour (Section 79) |
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take for a platform to remove a fake profile? Most major platforms respond to impersonation reports within 24-72 hours. If the report is clear and you can establish your identity, removal is usually quick. Complex cases may take longer.
Can I claim compensation from the person who created the fake profile? Yes. You can file a civil suit for damages (defamation, mental distress, financial loss) against the impersonator. If the impersonation caused financial loss to you or your contacts, you can claim specific damages.
What if the fake profile is on a platform that does not have an office in India? Under the IT Intermediary Guidelines, 2021, significant social media intermediaries (those with more than 50 lakh users in India) must appoint an Indian Grievance Officer. If the platform has no Indian presence and does not respond, your remedy is through the cybercrime portal and the courts.
Can creating a fake profile of a public figure also be reported? Yes. Identity theft and impersonation laws apply to all persons, including public figures. Parody accounts are sometimes treated differently, but only if they are clearly labelled as parody and do not deceive.