Cyber fraud! Message calls for monetary contribution to Indian army

New Delhi: In a new type of fraud, a WhatsApp forward message asking for donations to buy weapons for the Indian Army and to provide assistance to the families of martyred soldiers and injured soldiers has appeared.

The message in the Malayalam language, that is being circulated, starts with the words, "Only one rupee per day, that too for the Indian Army. In yesterday's cabinet meeting, the Modi government opened a bank account for the modernisation of the Indian Army and for soldiers who are injured or die in the war zone. Every Indian can donate any amount of their choice, starting from one rupee. This money will also be used to buy weapons for the army."

However, a statement issued by the Press Information Bureau's fact-checking department said that the details in the message are incorrect and that people should be vigilant and not fall prey to such deceptive messages.

The WhatsApp message begins with the preface, "A good decision taken by the Modi government on the advice of actor Akshay Kumar."

"As suggested by people through Mann Ki Baat, Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp, in today's burning situation, the Modi government has finally taken a decision and opened an Army Welfare Fund Battle Casualty Fund account in Canara Bank. This is a master stroke by film star Akshay Kumar. No one can stop India from becoming a superpower. If even 70% of India's 130 crore population invests just one rupee in this fund every day, that one rupee will turn into 100 crores in a day. 3,000 crores in 30 days and 36,000 crores in a year. Pakistan's annual defence budget is not even 36,000 crores. We spend 100, 1000 rupees every day on useless work. But if we give one rupee to the army, India will definitely become a superpower," the message reads.

Warning against the fraudulent messages, the Press Information Bureau has stated that the government has launched several welfare schemes for soldiers who are killed or disabled during the war.

PIB stated that the Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund (AFBCWF) was established in 2020 and is used to provide immediate financial assistance to the families of soldiers/sailors/airmen who lose their lives or are seriously injured during military operations. The account is maintained by the Indian Army on behalf of the Department of Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare, Ministry of Defence and contributions can be made directly to the account of the welfare fund, PIB added.