Uttarakhand tragedy: Beware of fake IAF websites

Zee Media Bureau New Delhi: While the huge loss of lives and widespread destruction caused by torrential rains and and landslides in Uttarakhand has shocked the entire nation, there are some who are completely unmoved by the tragedy and are using it to earn a quick buck. The Indian Air Force (IAF), which played a pivotal role in the rescue mission in Uttarakhand, has complained to the Delhi Police and said that several fraudulent websites have been created and webpages have been set up on Facebook in its name asking for donations to help Uttarkhand flood victims. In its complaint, filed by Wing Commander Tejveer Singh, the IAF alleged that these websites have used the Air Force logos to look authentic and have put up bank account numbers where people can make their donations. Wing Commander Singh also gave details of two account numbers that are being circulated online. Delhi Police, which is probing the matter, suspect that both the accounts are being operated by the same person as the two have been opened under the same first name—`Aditya`. With the IAF coming to know about the activities of these fraudulent websites, the Delhi Police has now alerted people not to pay any heed to such appeals. According to reports, the owner and moderator of a webpage on Facebook posted a message on July 1 urging people to make donations for the Uttarakhand flood victims. The message read—"Team IAF FB will be making a donation towards the Uttarakhand flood relief, if you are willing to make a contribution do transfer your desired contribution to either of the following bank accounts". The IAF has also taken offence of the illegal use of its logos and other identification signs which causing the public to believe these websites are genuinely owned by the IAF. The IAF have also requested the Delhi Police to block those fraudulent websites and the webpages at the earliest. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police has registered a case of cheating under Section 420 (cheating) and Information Technology Acts (66 C & D) and is now trying to track the IPC address of the computer used to circulate the message online. The EOW is also trying to ascertain whether or not donations were sent to the said bank account.