Telugu and Tamil film actress Shriya Saran has issued a sharp warning after discovering a fake Instagram account impersonating her. In a stern note shared with her followers, she described the impersonator’s activity as a serious case of cyber-crime.
According to Shriya, the fake account was created to use her identity, complete with her photos, and was messaging people using her name. She called out the impostor publicly, urging fans to avoid interacting with that account and to report it immediately.
The actress did not hesitate to condemn the impersonation. She warned her followers that such fake profiles can be dangerous, not just for fans, but for the celebrity’s own reputation. By misusing her name and images online, the imposter might try to manipulate or scam unsuspecting people.
Shriya emphasised that her real Instagram account is verified, and any other profile claiming to be her is fraudulent. “Please do not entertain any DMs or messages from anyone claiming to be Shriya Saran unless it’s from the verified badge,” she advised. She urged her fans to remain vigilant, a single click on such fake accounts can expose anyone to phishing or spam.
The actress also reported the issue to the cyber-crime authorities, signaling how seriously she takes identity theft. Fake celebrity accounts aren’t just harmless fan pages, she warned, they can be weapons for fraudsters.
This incident highlights a growing problem: impersonation of public figures on social media. Fake profiles not only exploit the celebrity’s popularity, they also put their followers at risk. According to cyber-security experts, such accounts are often used to phish personal data, spread malicious links or orchestrate confidence scams. (Online research has also documented how impersonators use Instagram to generate engagement and build deceptive followings.)
Shriya’s callout also resonates with other recent cases. Earlier this year, another South Indian star’s family member had to involve the cyber-crime wing after a lookalike Instagram account misused their identity.
Shriya thanked her real fans for their support, but also warned them not to trust unverified accounts, no matter how convincing they look. “If you ever doubt a profile pretending to be me, check for the verified badge, or reach out to my official team,” she advised.
With her message, Shriya has underscored a crucial reality: on social media, even stars can be vulnerable, and vigilance is everyone’s responsibility.