In response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, the Telangana police have raised alarms over fake donation campaigns spreading across social media platforms including WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook. These scams are designed to exploit public sentiment and falsely claim to raise funds for the welfare of the Indian Army or for battle casualty support.
The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has identified that cybercriminals are taking advantage of the emotional aftermath of the incident to disseminate misleading messages that encourage donations for non-existent causes. These messages often come with links to fraudulent websites or provide direct bank account information, misleadingly portraying themselves as official appeals from the Ministry of Defence.
One particular message cited by authorities falsely claims, “Every Indian can contribute any amount… This money will be used to purchase weapons for the army and paramilitary forces… Your money will be deposited directly in the Army and War Casualty Fund of the Ministry of Defence.” Police officials have clarified that no verified donation campaign of this nature exists and reported that, while similar fraudulent messages have proliferated online, no cases related to these scams have been recorded in Telangana.
A TGCSB official stated, “These scams are designed to manipulate patriotic feelings and misuse the public’s goodwill. We urge citizens not to share such messages and to verify any donation appeals through official government channels only.” This warning emphasizes the importance of vigilance among the public, particularly during a time of heightened emotional response to national tragedies.
The police have advised citizens to report any suspicious links or messages via the cybercrime helpline or dedicated portals. Collaboration with social media companies is also underway to quickly flag and remove fraudulent content from their platforms.
This proactive announcement comes as community support for the armed forces is on the rise in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, making individuals particularly susceptible to misinformation and fraudulent activities. Authorities continue to advocate for public caution and critical examination of donation requests during these sensitive times.
