Viral message falsely cites Cabinet decision and actor Akshay Kumar’s name; public urged to stay alert.
A misleading message circulating on WhatsApp regarding donations to a particular bank account for the modernisation of the Indian Army has been flagged by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). According to an official statement, the viral message falsely claims that a Cabinet decision was taken to set up a donation account and wrongly attributes the initiative to actor Akshay Kumar.
The Ministry clarified that the bank account details mentioned in the message are incorrect, leading to online donations being dishonoured. It warned the public to stay vigilant and not fall prey to such fraudulent appeals.
The details of the fake bank account being shared are:
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Account Number: 20452010003574
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IFSC Code: SYNB0002045
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Bank: Syndicate Bank, Chandni Chowk branch, Delhi
Authorities emphasized that any authentic contributions for the welfare of soldiers are only accepted through official channels. The Government has already initiated several welfare schemes to support soldiers who are killed or disabled during active combat operations. Initiatives like the Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund (AFBCWF) have been set up to provide assistance to affected families.
The Ministry also requested the public to verify any fundraising messages through official government announcements or websites before making donations.
"Do not believe in unauthenticated messages circulating on WhatsApp or social media platforms. Always cross-verify the source of such information," the Ministry said. This clarification comes amid rising concerns over misuse of patriotism for financial frauds, urging citizens to remain cautious and responsible.
