A fake, yet verified Twitter handle, using the name of the newly appointed chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Zaka Ashraf, was taken down after the cricket board’s request.
The fake Twitter handle @IZakaAshraf had gathered more than 8,000 followers on the social media platform.
The impersonator got the account verified in June 2023 and used the identity of Zaka Ashraf and has “Chairman @TheRealPCB” written in the bio alongside the hashtag “#ZakaAshraf”.
The impersonators shared 55 tweets since the inception of the account in February 2021. However, it has been now taken down.
After a series of cryptic tweets from the impersonator, using the identity of Zaka Ashraf, the PCB took to Twitter to clarify that the account was fake and was reported to Twitter.
“Mr Zaka Ashraf does not have an account on [Twitter]. This is a fake account and has been reported to [Twitter] by the PCB,” wrote PCB.
Mr Zaka Ashraf does not have an account on @Twitter. This is a fake account and has been reported to @verified by the PCB. pic.twitter.com/PbMYm2Chat
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 7, 2023
It is understood that the impersonator must have paid for Twitter’s subscription-based verification service, Twitter Blue.