Ansari has posted a video on Instagram titled ‘Now bhikaris (beggars) on social media are using my fake IDs.’
In the video, she complained about the growing number of fake accounts operating under her name and using pictures taken from her Instagram to solicit donations.
“There is no shortage of shameless people in this world,” she bemoaned.
In the same video, Ansari also flagged one of the most recent fake accounts, warning followers about a page using a fresh photo of her, one in which she was wearing a bindi. Urging people not to fall into the trap, she reminded them that this was not the first time she had raised the issue.
“I have put a video like this earlier as well that please don’t follow these fake accounts of mine. Day before yesterday, there was a fresh picture of mine where I had put a bindi on my forehead. There is an account with that picture, too. Before that, as well, I don’t know, they somehow take my private pictures from my Instagram and then beg [for money] using them.”
Visibly exhausted by the ongoing ordeal, Ansari said that despite repeatedly reporting and blocking these pages, the problem persists. She also made it clear that if she ever chooses to help someone, she does so privately, and has never gone out “to collect funds”.
She also reminded fans of her official accounts: ansari.bushra on Instagram, Bushra Bashir on Facebook, and another Facebook account where she is sitting on a tonga as Saima Chaudhry in her display picture.
Social media is hardly scam-free. And when a ‘celebrity’ pops up asking for charity, it’s all too easy to be fooled. So always be alert and don’t be scammed by fake IDs.