Fake accounts are being created in journalists’ names, Azerbaijan Press Council warns

The Azerbaijan Press Council has issued a warning over cases involving the creation of fake WhatsApp accounts in journalists’ names and the sending of messages through these accounts.

The Press Council provided the information to TodayPress TV.

According to the statement, reports have emerged in recent days of fake WhatsApp accounts being created in the names of well-known journalists and used to send messages with various types of content.

“Statements by law enforcement agencies indicate that such activities are carried out by organised cybercriminal networks operating outside Azerbaijan. Using artificial intelligence algorithms and specialised software, these groups target civil servants, employees of various institutions and organisations, journalists and other citizens. Despite numerous awareness-raising initiatives, some people continue to fall victim to such fraud.

“Taking into account that these incidents are not isolated cases and could develop into a worrying trend, the Azerbaijan Press Council urges journalists and media professionals in general to remain vigilant. It is important not to trust, respond to or share suspicious messages without verifying their authenticity, even when they appear to come from people you know. Particular importance should be attached to checking the source and authenticity of information with political or public affairs content.

“It should be remembered that messages sent through fake accounts are intended to create false impressions about individuals, damage their reputations and mislead public opinion,” the statement said.

The Press Council advised anyone encountering such cases to contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs via its 102 hotline and inform law enforcement authorities.

It also recommended taking the following steps:

* Contact the police: Report the incident to the police station responsible for your area.

* Notify the National Cybersecurity Agency: Send details to [email protected] or contact its hotline at 1654.

* Warn the public: Publish a notice through your personal social media accounts explaining that a fake account is operating in your name. Make it clear that messages from the account are not yours and should not be treated as genuine.

* Report the fake account to WhatsApp: Open the account’s profile and use the platform’s reporting function.

* Preserve evidence: Save screenshots of messages, the phone number used and any other relevant information.

* Encourage other victims to report the account: Multiple reports may help prompt action against the fraudulent account.

* Verify suspicious messages independently: If you receive a questionable message in the name of someone you know, contact them by phone or through another previously established communication channel to confirm its authenticity.

* Inform the Press Council: Journalists and other media representatives who encounter such incidents can also contact the Azerbaijan Press Council for assistance.

The Azerbaijan Press Council called on journalists and the public to remain vigilant in the digital environment, verify information sources and avoid helping spread potential provocations carried out through fake accounts.