‌🔻Barak Ravid, an international relations reporter for the Axios website, warned on the social media platform X about the misuse of his name and photo by an individual or individuals. He suggested that the move could be carried out by “Iranian intelligence institutions.”

He wrote on X: “In recent days, many people have received messages on WhatsApp from this number. The person or entity using this number (in my view, Iranian intelligence institutions) is trying to use my identity to invite people to a video call and encourage them to click on a link that may result in the hacking of their mobile phone or other digital devices.”

Ravid added: “If you receive a message from this number, do not respond, block the number, and report it.”

Earlier, some journalists at Persian-language media outlets outside Iran had also reported similar cases of identity fraud and even audio, along with attempts to trap people. 📷Getty