Azerbaijan’s Press Council has warned of a rise in fake WhatsApp accounts created in the names of well-known journalists, used to send messages to unsuspecting contacts. The organisation urged media workers not to trust such messages.
According to the Press Council, statements from law enforcement agencies indicate that organised cybercriminal groups operating outside Azerbaijan are behind the scheme. These groups reportedly use artificial intelligence algorithms and specialised software to target civil servants, employees of various institutions, journalists and ordinary citizens.
The Press Council said that despite awareness campaigns, some people still fall victim to this kind of fraud. It noted the cases are not isolated incidents but appear to be turning into a worrying trend, warning that suspicious messages should not be trusted without verification, even if they appear to come from someone familiar.
The council stressed that verifying the source of messages with social or political content is especially important, since posts spread through fake accounts aim to damage people’s reputations and mislead public opinion.
Press Council’s recommendations
Anyone who encounters such a case is advised to contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ 102 hotline, report it to their local police department, or notify the National Cybersecurity Agency via email at [email protected] or its hotline, 1654.
The council also recommends warning contacts about the existence of a fake account through one’s own social media, reporting the account to WhatsApp, and keeping evidence such as screenshots and phone numbers. It noted that an account is blocked more effectively if at least 15 people report it.
People who receive a suspicious message are advised to verify it by calling the person directly or using another previously known communication channel. The Press Council also asked journalists facing such situations to inform the council itself and seek its support.
