Important Security Warning Regarding Fake Platforms and Impersonation of Trusted Sources and Official Calls to Action

Dear Fellow Iranians,

Over the years, we have repeatedly witnessed deceptive tactics aimed at misleading citizens through the creation of channels, bots, and websites that imitate the names, appearances, and content of trusted and well-known sources. This issue becomes particularly significant, with serious security implications, during sensitive political and social periods, especially alongside national calls to action and activities related to the Iranian people's freedom movement.

One of the well-known methods used by the Islamic Republic's security apparatus to suppress civic and political activities is infiltration, deception, and the exploitation of communication platforms to identify citizens and collect their personal information. Creating or operating channels, bots, and websites that imitate legitimate sources can serve as a means of achieving these objectives. By exploiting public trust, such platforms may persuade individuals to disclose personal information, reveal their own or others' communications and activities, and ultimately expose themselves to security risks, fabricated criminal cases, and even arrest.

Unfortunately, numerous cases of citizens falling victim to such tactics have been reported over the years. Therefore, the recurrence of this pattern should not be dismissed as a simple coincidence or merely a matter of similar names. Remaining vigilant against these tactics is an essential part of protecting our individual and collective security.

Recent Example: The "Barkhiz Iran" Telegram Bot

In recent days, following the introduction of the "Barkhiz Iran" Telegram bot (BarkhizIranBot) by Prince Reza Pahlavi and the widespread public response to this call to action, another bot with a very similar username, BarkhisIranBot, has also surfaced, causing confusion and leading some users to mistake one for the other.

This case once again highlights the urgent need to pay serious attention to digital impersonation and the creation of fraudulent or look-alike platforms.

We therefore strongly urge all fellow Iranians, and particularly our fellow Iranian Azerbaijanis, to access the "Barkhiz Iran" Telegram bot (BarkhizIranBot) exclusively through links published by Prince Reza Pahlavi's official Telegram channel or official website. Please refrain from accessing or interacting with similar bots or platforms promoted through other sources.

Naturally, without a thorough technical investigation and documented evidence, it is not possible to make definitive claims regarding the identities of those operating these platforms or their organizational affiliations. However, given the Islamic Republic's history and recurring pattern of deception and infiltration operations, the creation and distribution of similar, unverified platforms under such sensitive circumstances should be treated as suspicious and deserving of serious scrutiny.

It is important to understand that similarities in a platform's name, profile picture, logo, description, or even content do not, under any circumstances, establish its authenticity or credibility. Sometimes, the only difference may be a single letter in a username or a small detail in a web address—a seemingly minor distinction that could direct users to an entirely different and potentially dangerous platform.

Essential Security Precautions

To prevent potential exploitation and protect our individual and collective security, the following precautions are essential:

1. When accessing any bot, channel, or website related to political calls to action and activities, use only links published through official and verified sources. Specifically, access the "Barkhiz Iran" Telegram bot exclusively through links published by Prince Reza Pahlavi's official Telegram channel or official website.
2. Do not rely solely on a platform's name or appearance. Carefully verify its username and the exact link, character by character.
3. Never provide your identity details, phone number, location, contact information, communications, or details regarding your own or others' political or organizational activities to bots or sources whose authenticity and security have not been verified.
4. Any request from unknown sources for identity documents, personal information, lists of individuals, contact details, or information about political or organizational activities should be treated as a serious warning sign.
5. Simply using the name or image of a well-known individual, political symbols, or organizational titles does not establish the legitimacy of a channel or bot.
6. Before forwarding or sharing any link with others, verify that it originates from a trusted source. Unknowingly circulating a fraudulent link can expose many more people to potential danger.
7. Reporting suspicious platforms: If you encounter similar or suspicious platforms, refrain from promoting or sharing them, and report them through official and trusted channels.

The public's enthusiasm and trust in national calls to action, as well as their willingness to participate in the struggle for a free Iran, are invaluable assets. We must not allow this trust and determination to become tools for deception, infiltration, identification, and endangerment of our fellow citizens.

The struggle for a free Iran requires not only courage and solidarity, but also vigilance and adherence to essential security practices. Protecting personal information and communications is not merely an individual responsibility; it is part of our shared responsibility toward one another's safety.

We urge all fellow Iranians to exercise caution when encountering any channel, bot, or website associated with political activities and national calls to action. Before taking any action, verify its authenticity. If there is any doubt whatsoever, refrain from providing information or engaging with the platform.

The security of our citizens and activists is our red line. Our vigilance today can prevent irreparable harm tomorrow.

Please share this warning with your friends, family members, and fellow Iranians.

Long Live Iran!

Azarbaijan Movement for Democracy and Integrity of Iran