In the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, the Telangana police have issued a warning to the public about fake donation messages circulating on social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook. These fraudulent campaigns falsely claim to raise money for the Indian Army’s welfare or battle casualty funds.
According to the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB), cybercriminals are exploiting the wave of public sympathy following the attack by circulating emotionally charged messages encouraging users to donate toward fabricated causes. The messages often include links to fake websites or direct bank account numbers and present themselves as official appeals from the Ministry of Defence.
One such message, flagged by authorities, falsely states, “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 clarified that no official donation campaign of this kind exists and confirmed that no cases have yet been reported in Telangana, though similar messages have been spotted widely online.
“These scams are designed to manipulate patriotic feelings and misuse the public’s goodwill,” a TGCSB official stated. “We urge citizens not to share such messages and to verify any donation appeals through official government channels only.”
The police have also encouraged the public to report any suspicious links or messages to the cybercrime helpline or portal. Authorities are working closely with social media companies to flag and remove such fraudulent content swiftly.
This warning comes amid rising support for the armed forces following the Pahalgam attack, making the public particularly vulnerable to misinformation and fraud.
