BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 21.
The creation of fake WhatsApp accounts in the names of journalists
and the subsequent sending of messages in Azerbaijan are matters of
concern.


This was reflected in a report published by the Press Council of
Azerbaijan.


According to the report, in recent days, information has been
received regarding the creation of fake WhatsApp accounts in the
names of well-known journalists, which are then used to send
messages containing various types of content.


"Statements from law enforcement agencies indicate that such
activities are carried out by organized cybercriminal networks
operating from outside Azerbaijan. By utilizing artificial
intelligence algorithms and specialized software, these groups
target civil servants, employees of various enterprises and
organizations, as well as journalists and other citizens. Despite
numerous awareness-raising initiatives, some citizens still fall
victim to such fraudulent schemes," the council emphasized.


Noting that these occurrences are not limited to isolated
incidents and could potentially evolve into a concerning trend, the
Press Council has urged journalists and media professionals in
general to exercise caution.


"It’s crucial not to trust, respond to, or share the content of
suspicious messages, even if they appear to come from people they
know, without first verifying their authenticity. It’s especially
important to check the source and veracity of information
concerning socio-political matters. It should be remembered that
messages sent via fake accounts are intended to create false
impressions about individuals, damage their reputations, and
mislead public opinion," the statement noted.


The Press Council recommended those who encounter such
situations take the following steps:


“- Call the Ministry of Internal Affairs' '102' service to
notify law enforcement authorities. You may also contact the police
station in your local area.







- Reach out to the National Cybersecurity Agency. Report the
incident via email at [email protected] or contact the Agency’s hotline
at 1654.


- Inform the public. Use your own social media accounts to make
it publicly known that a fake account is operating in your name.
People should know that the messages sent from that account do not
come from you, and they shouldn’t accept their content as the
truth.


- Report the fake account to the WhatsApp platform. To do this,
use the available complaint function by logging into the account
profile. Keep screenshots of messages sent from the fake account,
phone number, and other relevant information as evidence. In order
to block the fake account, other victims can be called to file a
complaint accordingly. Complaining by a minimum of 15 people is
more effective.


- Verify the authenticity of messages by alternative means. If
you receive a suspicious message from someone you know, verify the
authenticity of the information by contacting them via phone call
or other known means of communication,” the report said.


The report added that when journalists and other media
representatives encounter such situations, they can also inform the
Azerbaijan Press Council and apply to the Council for appropriate
support.


The Press Council called on journalists and the public to be
vigilant in the digital environment, to check information sources,
and not to create conditions for the spread of possible
provocations carried out through fake accounts.