A Bengaluru-based online Muslim women’s group has issued a warning to its members after an individual by the name of Vasim Hashmani was found to be targeting young women under false aliases. According to the announcement made by the group, Hashmani, who goes by the alias ‘Abdullah Salafi’ had been messaging unsuspecting young women, befriending them and exploiting their innocence. He would sometimes even pose as a women using the name ‘Rabia Salafi’, ask for money citing pitiful conditions, and even send marriage proposals for her brother ‘Abdullah Salafi’.
The group is urging caution in all interactions on the internet and with strangers in general. The group has also cautioned its members against engaging with strangers asking charity/donation, advertisements for personal businesses and organisations, dubious elements looking to make friendships with women, and males hanging around in groups made only for women on WhatsApp.
One member, The Cognate spoke to said that she had received a message from a stranger a couple of days ago, asking which madhab (school of thought) he should follow. When she inquired about his identity and where he had got his number from, and suggested that he consult an Islamic scholar for guidance, the individual remained silent. Suspecting something dubious, she blocked his number. “I was shocked when I learnt that the same person had contacted other women in the WhatsApp group I was part of,” she said.
The group said it hopes that this warning will protect its members from such incidents, they have also urged anyone who has been affected by Hashmani’s actions to come forward, promising to provide help and support.
The community has shared Hashmani’s known phone numbers (+91 8425065656, +91 8928683802, and +91 7396236851) and has urged anyone who has been contacted by him to come forward.
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Shaik Zakeer Hussain is the Founder and Editor of The Cognate.
