New Delhi, March 26 (NationPress) Following an advisory from the Union Home Ministry about certain groups engaging in radicalization amid the ongoing war in Iran, the Intelligence Bureau has raised alarms regarding a fraudulent charity scheme.

A multitude of organizations has emerged, soliciting funds under the guise of providing aid to those in Iran affected by the conflict. An official noted that these groups are deceiving the public by claiming to support the welfare of Iranian citizens impacted by the war.

Similar fraudulent activities were noted during last year's conflict between Israel and Palestine. Such charities frequently appear during times of crisis, and once they gather donations, they often disappear without a trace, another official remarked.

Individuals orchestrating these bogus charities exploit emotions, presenting manipulated images of the war to solicit donations. Many compassionate donors, moved by these appeals, have even contributed gold and other valuables, an Intelligence Bureau official stated.

The investigation has revealed that this scam is particularly rampant in Jammu and Kashmir. Some individuals have been going door-to-door, pleading for donations to aid those impacted by the Iran war. They craft elaborate stories and exaggerate the situation to exploit the emotional vulnerabilities of potential donors, officials have discovered.

In the Kashmir region, authorities have found that the same network previously raised funds for separatist groups that existed before the abrogation of Article 370.

The amount of donations collected under the pretext of the war in Iran is staggering, totaling in the crores of rupees. In Jammu and Kashmir alone, the scam is estimated to be around Rs 16 crore. Reports indicate that some individuals have even relinquished their life savings, while others have given away gold and household items.

The primary target audience appears to be the Shia community. Officials have noted that Shia Muslims are particularly susceptible to emotional manipulation, especially concerning the ongoing war in Iran. Many are inclined to donate without seeking any accountability from these fraudsters, another official commented.

Agencies are actively monitoring similar fraudulent activities across various regions of the country. While such scams are occurring in multiple locations, the scale is notably higher in Jammu and Kashmir, according to agency findings.

The perpetrators of this scam have primarily conducted their operations offline, making emotional and religious appeals directly at homes. They display distressing images of the war, followed by requests for financial support.

When issuing fake receipts, these individuals assure donors that the funds will be sent to Iran for the benefit of the war-affected populace. They tend to avoid online platforms to evade detection of their activities.

Another concern for the authorities is the potential misuse of the funds collected so far. While some of the money might be directed towards personal gains, a significant portion could be utilized for anti-national activities, officials have learned.

In Jammu and Kashmir, there are indications of efforts to rejuvenate the separatist movement, and the funds could very well be used to support these initiatives, warn the agencies.