Police investigate misuse of woman’s photo in matrimonial ad

Kochi: Ernakulam rural cyber police registered an FIR and began an investigation after a 26-year-old woman filed a complaint alleging that her photograph was used without her consent in a matrimonial advertisement.The case was registered against an unidentified individual who runs the matrimony establishment. The woman from Elamkunnapuzha in Ernakulam alleged that a photo she posted on Instagram was misused by the accused.The complaint alleges that the photo was modified and posted in a WhatsApp group named Vivahalochanakal-3. She also alleged that the accused passed on false information and a contact number along with the images through the WhatsApp community.The woman initially approached the city cyber police and gave a statement. The city cyber police registered a zero FIR and transferred it to rural cyber police.A case was registered against the accused who runs the matrimonial firm invoking Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and IT Act provisions for cheating by personation using electronic means, identity theft and unauthorised use of another person’s identity through digital platforms.Official sources said that the probe is in initial stages and they will soon identify the accused.