SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday arrested two persons involved in a Facebook donation fraud case in Srinagar district.
In a statement, a police spokesperson said, “Police acted swiftly and busted an online fraud racket involving a fake medical donation appeal circulated on Facebook.
“On May 30, Police Station Nowhatta received a written complaint from Muneer Ahmad Misger, son of Mohammad Sadiq Misger, a resident of Mughal Masjid, Nowhatta. An unidentified journalist had uploaded a photograph of his sister on Facebook along with a fabricated story, appealing for public donations for a surgery that never took place. The act, carried out with malicious intent, was described as cheating and exploitation,” police said.
A case was registered under Sections 318(2) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and an investigation was launched.
During the investigation, the administrator of the Facebook page responsible for the fraudulent post was identified as Mohammad Lateef Lone, son of Ali Mohammad Lone, resident of Tujan, Pulwama. He was arrested.
“Another accused, Amir Yousuf Khan, son of Mohammad Yousuf Khan, a resident of Bandipora and currently residing in Gulab Bagh, Zakoora, was also identified and arrested. Police said he had provided the bank account used to collect the fraudulent donations.The investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend others involved in the scam,” police said.
Meanwhile, the public and media have been advised not to share or engage with the said Facebook post, as it is part of a fraudulent scheme. Circulating such content may further the criminal intent and cause additional distress to the victim’s family.
JK Police has urged the public to remain alert and report any suspicious or illegal online fundraising activity to the nearest police station.
