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“How are you? Where are you? This is my second number… I need some money,” it said.

It instantly set off alarm bells in his head, and has now resulted in an FIR against an alleged scamster for impersonating Principal District & Sessions Judge (West) Vijay Kumar Dahiya and using his photograph to ask members of the Delhi Bar Association (Tis Hazari Court) for money over Whatsapp.

“The person claiming to be the judge said that he was in Thailand. The profile photo was also of the judge,” said advocate Singh, who is a former Senior Member Executive of the Delhi Bar Association.

Finding it suspicious, he decided to dig a little deeper and went to the judge’s courtroom.

“I was shocked to see that the Judge was sitting in Tis Hazari. I spoke to him and he confirmed to me that he didn’t go to Thailand and wasn’t asking for money from anyone. I told him that even his image is being used by the impersonator. He was as shocked as I was,” he said.

Now sure that there was an impersonator at play, Singh asked around further to find out that he was not the only one who had received such messages.

“The message was sent to other former and current executive members of our bar association as well. We all grew suspicious when he started asking for money. The only reason I had decided to reply was that the display picture was of our judge. This is a big scam… they’re even using the faces of our judges,” Singh said.

“Complaint regarding a fake social media/Whatsapp messaging account asking for money in the name of Id. Ld. Principal District & Sessions Judge, West, along with his official photograph as the display picture. This imposter is messaging Members of Delhi Bar Association and asking for money, emergency financial help, or unauthorised transfers under false pretenses. This fraudulent activity is a severe misuse of judicial authority, harms the reputation of the judiciary, and poses a grave threat,” stated the FIR.

Police said they are investigating the case and no arrest has been made yet.