How do I remove a fake profile impersonating me in India?

As of 24 October 2026: the service descriptions, prices and turnaround figures on this page are current.

How do I report a fake profile on Instagram and WhatsApp?

Instagram: open the profile, tap the three-dot menu, choose Report, then Impersonation, and pick the option that says the account is pretending to be someone else. Submit that before anything else, because it starts the review clock. Then open the app's own request form for a name or likeness check and attach proof that the handle and photo are yours, because a removal can be reversed while a verified-claim request is what makes the platform re-check. Then check the account's activity: if the fake profile is messaging people, report the messages from the chat, not only the profile, since a message report often moves faster. Finally, block the account and screenshot the block. WhatsApp: open the chat, tap the contact name, scroll to Report, choose the impersonation category, then block. Do the same for any number in the bio.

How do I report a fake profile on YouTube, X and Telegram?

YouTube: open the channel, tap the three-dot menu, choose Report, then Spam or misleading, then Impersonation, and state plainly that the channel is using your name and face without permission. YouTube also has a copyright and trademark claim path, which is stronger if your name is registered, and a separate impersonation channel for channels that claim to be affiliated with you. X: use Report, then Impersonation, and add a link to your verified account, because a link to your own profile is the strongest evidence you can attach. Telegram: use the report on the profile, choose Spam or Impersonation, and add the channel name to the report, because Telegram's moderation covers channel names as well as handles. On every platform, report the individual pieces of content as well as the profile, since content reports are often faster than profile reports.

What evidence should I capture before reporting?

Capture first, report second, and capture more than you think you need. Take a full-page screenshot showing the URL, the handle, the display name, the profile picture, the bio, the follower count, the join date if shown, and the date and time. Save every message, story highlight, reel and post link in a document with timestamps. Save the profile picture and the bio text as separate files, since a text bio can be edited after removal. If money was solicited, keep the payment link, the UPI ID, the phone number, the bank account name and any QR code, and screenshot the chat around the request. Keep all of this in two places. If you intend to go to the police or to court, note that a certificate under the IT Act and Indian Evidence Act can be needed to prove what a webpage contained and when.

What if the fake profile is removed and comes back?

Recurrence is normal, and it changes the response. Each new profile is a new platform, a new case number and a new piece of evidence, so keep a case log with the handle, the URL, the date reported and the outcome. Report the new profile immediately rather than waiting to see if it is removed, and submit a fresh name or likeness check request for the new handle. If the impersonator keeps returning after several verified removals, escalate to a platform trust and safety contact and to a legal notice, because a pattern of re-creation after verified removal is what a court will rely on to justify a stronger injunction. If the account is also collecting money, treat every appearance as a separate fraud report on cybercrime.gov.in and helpline 1930, and warn your audience in your own verified channel, which is what stops the money flowing.

What are the frequently asked questions?