Fake Profile or Online Harassment: How to Get It Taken Down and File a Complaint

If someone creates a fake profile of you, impersonates you or posts your intimate or morphed images, report it at once to the platform’s Grievance Officer and to the national cyber crime portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or helpline 1930. Under Rule 3(2)(b) of the IT Rules, 2021, as amended with effect from 20 February 2026, a platform must remove content showing nudity, sexual acts or electronic impersonation of you within 2 hours of your complaint; other user grievances must be resolved within 7 days. If the platform fails you, appeal to the Grievance Appellate Committee at gac.gov.in within 30 days. The offender can face charges under the IT Act (ss.66C, 66D, 67, 67A) and the BNS (stalking s.78, defamation s.356).

First hour: what to do

1. Do not engage or threaten the harasser. It can escalate matters and alert them to delete evidence.
2. Preserve evidence. Take screenshots that show the profile URL, username, date and time. Copy the links. Save chats and emails. Ask a trusted person to take screenshots from their phone too, because some content is visible only to others.
3. Report on the platform. Use the in-app report button and also write to the platform’s Grievance Officer (contact details are in its terms or grievance page). Say clearly: “This profile impersonates me” or “This content shows me in nudity / is a morphed image of me, removal requested under Rule 3(2)(b)”. Attach proof of identity if asked.
4. Report the crime. File on cybercrime.gov.in under the women and children related crime category, or call 1930. You can also file an FIR at any police station; under section 173 of the BNSS, a zero FIR can be registered irrespective of where the offence happened.
5. Tell family or a friend. Online harassment works through isolation. Support helps you act quickly.

What the IT Rules require of platforms

The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 require every intermediary (social media, messaging, hosting platforms) to publish the name and contact of a Grievance Officer and to act on complaints. MeitY amended the Rules on 10 February 2026, with effect from 20 February 2026, and shortened key timelines:

• Rule 3(2)(b): where you complain about content that exposes your private areas, shows you in full or partial nudity or in a sexual act, or impersonates you in electronic form, including artificially morphed images, the platform must remove or disable access within 2 hours (earlier 24 hours).
• Rule 3(2)(a): general grievances must be resolved within 7 days (earlier 15 days).
• Rule 3(1)(d): takedowns ordered by a court or the government must be done within 3 hours.

If the Grievance Officer rejects or ignores your complaint, you can appeal to the Grievance Appellate Committee on gac.gov.in within 30 days of the platform’s decision. The Committee aims to decide appeals within 30 days.

Which offences apply

• Fake profile using your name and photos: identity theft under section 66C of the IT Act (fraudulently or dishonestly using another person’s electronic signature, password or other unique identification feature). If the fake profile is used to cheat people (asking your friends for money), cheating by personation under section 66D.
• Posting obscene or sexually explicit material: sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act. Capturing or publishing images of a person’s private area without consent is also an offence under section 66E.
• Repeatedly following, contacting or monitoring a woman’s online activity despite clear disinterest: stalking under section 78 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which expressly covers monitoring “the internet, e-mail or any other form of electronic communication”. Up to 3 years and fine on first conviction, up to 5 years on a subsequent conviction.
• False statements damaging your reputation: defamation under section 356 of the BNS. Defamation is a complaint case before a Magistrate, and a civil suit for damages and an injunction is also available.

Which sections the police add depends on the facts. Your complaint should describe exactly what was done, when, on which platform, with links.

Real-life example

Ananya, a college student in Indore, found an Instagram account using her photos with sexual captions, messaging her classmates. She took screenshots with URLs, reported the account in-app and emailed the Grievance Officer stating that the content impersonated her and used morphed images, and filed on cybercrime.gov.in. The account was taken down the same day. The police traced the account through the platform and registered an FIR under the IT Act and BNS.

Common mistakes

• Deleting your own account or chats in panic. Evidence goes with it.
• Reporting only in-app without a written complaint to the Grievance Officer. The written complaint starts the legal clock.
• Paying a “takedown agent” who promises removal. Use only the platform, the portal and the police.
• Waiting for the harassment to stop. Early reporting gives the best chance of tracing the account.

Frequently asked questions

How fast must Instagram or Facebook remove a fake profile with my morphed photos?

Within 2 hours of your complaint, under Rule 3(2)(b) of the IT Rules as amended in 2026, where it shows nudity, sexual acts or impersonates you.

Can someone else complain on my behalf?

Yes. A complaint under Rule 3(2)(b) can be made by the individual or by any person on their behalf.

Where do I appeal if the platform does nothing?

To the Grievance Appellate Committee at gac.gov.in, within 30 days.

Is creating a fake profile a crime?

Using someone’s identity information fraudulently or dishonestly is identity theft under section 66C of the IT Act. Using it to cheat is section 66D.

Do I need a lawyer to file a cyber complaint?

No. You can file on cybercrime.gov.in or at a police station yourself. Free legal aid is available through NALSA on 15100.

Quick quiz

For a complete module on cyber safety and your rights, see Certificate Course in Everyday Law for Every Indian.

Sources

• Information Technology Act, 2000, sections 66C, 66D, 66E, 67 and 67A
• Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, Rules 3 and 3A, as amended by the Amendment Rules, 2026 (in force 20 February 2026)
• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, sections 78 and 356
• Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, section 173
• National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) and helpline 1930

This page is for education and general information, not legal advice for a specific case. Law as on 29 October 2026.