KANNUR: An attempt to seize money by sending fake messages in the name of Khadi Board Chairman P Jayarajan. Messages were sent to many people demanding money through a WhatsApp account created with Jayarajan's photo.

P Jayarajan noticed the incident and lodged a complaint with the town police. The police registered a case and started an investigation. It is indicated that the attempt to swindle money was using the number of a resident of Koyilandy.

An official of the Secretariat had earlier lost Rs 30,000 in the fraud with the picture of the chief secretary. There was also an attempt to extort money from a top police officer by creating a fake WhatsApp account in the name of the chief minister.