X Suspends Fake Account Impersonating Ugandan Businessman Sudhir Ruparelia

After weeks of mounting concern, the fake X account impersonating Ugandan tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia has finally been taken down, marking a small but significant victory in the fight against digital impersonation.

The now-suspended profile, @RupareliaSudhi, had amassed tens of thousands of followers while peddling misleading statements on politics, business, and even personal matters—often in a voice starkly at odds with the real businessman’s measured public persona.

The breaking point came as the account exploited deeply sensitive moments, including the tragic death of Ruparelia’s son, Rajiv, last month. Fraudulent posts posing as the grieving father’s reflections sparked outrage, prompting Ruparelia himself to issue a public denial. “I do not own or operate any account on X,” he stated firmly earlier this week. “Any communications from that profile are false and should be ignored.”

The businessman, whose empire spans banking, hospitality, and education, urged authorities and platform moderators to intervene, warning that such impersonations risked “misleading the public and damaging reputations.”

The takedown follows a surge in user reports and heightened scrutiny from X’s moderation team, but it also underscores a troubling trend. High-profile figures in Uganda and beyond are increasingly targeted by digital fraudsters wielding everything from fake accounts to AI-generated deepfakes.

Just two months ago, a fabricated video of Ruparelia endorsing a sham cryptocurrency scheme went viral, duping unsuspecting viewers with promises of instant wealth. The clip, later debunked, highlighted the alarming ease with which bad actors manipulate technology to exploit trust.

While the suspension of @RupareliaSudhi closes one chapter, experts stress that the problem is far from solved. “Verification and public awareness are critical,” noted a spokesperson for Uganda’s Communications Commission, which has repeatedly urged prominent individuals to secure official social media badges and educate followers on spotting scams.

For now, Ruparelia’s camp reiterates that he has no presence on X—a reminder that in an era of digital deception, skepticism remains a necessary defense. The lesson for the public? Verify before you trust, and report before you engage.