Nadia Buari warns fans about online impersonation after struggling to secure her WhatsApp username following Meta’s new update

Ghanaian-Nigerian actress Nadia Buari on 3 July 2026 raised concerns over online impersonation risks following Meta’s new update introducing WhatsApp usernames, warning fans to remain vigilant as fraudsters increasingly exploit digital identity spaces.

Also read: Halima Abubakar Gives Powerful Testimony After 9-Year Illness Recovery

The actress shared her experience via Instagram, revealing that she attempted to create a WhatsApp username but discovered that multiple variations of her name had already been taken, leaving her unsettled about the implications of rising online impersonation.

Buari described the experience as both exhausting and alarming, noting that almost every version of her identity had already been registered by unknown users.

“Why are people like this???… I was trying to create this WhatsApp username thing, only to realise every single variation of my name is already gone,” she wrote.

She added that even combinations such as “Nadia S Buari” and “NSB” were already taken, expressing concern that impersonators may be actively reserving celebrity identities to mislead the public.

At the centre of her concern is the growing risk of fraud and identity misuse on digital platforms, particularly as messaging services introduce new features that allow greater personal branding and public visibility.

The actress urged fans and social media users to exercise caution when engaging with accounts claiming to represent public figures, stressing that scammers often move quickly to exploit new technological updates.

“At this point, it’s clear fraudsters and imposters are lurking everywhere,” she said, warning that users should remain alert to potential scams and deceptive accounts.

Her remarks come amid increasing global concerns about digital identity theft, as social media platforms continue to expand features that allow users to personalise usernames and profiles.

The warning has sparked conversation online, with fans echoing her concerns and calling for stronger verification systems to protect public figures from impersonation.

Also read: Halima Abubakar Gives Powerful Testimony After 9-Year Illness Recovery

Cybersecurity experts continue to advise users to verify official accounts and remain cautious when interacting with unfamiliar profiles, especially on newly updated platforms.