A misleading WhatsApp message is being circulated claiming that donations are being collected through a specific bank account for the modernisation of the Indian Army and the welfare of soldiers injured or killed in action. The Government has confirmed that this message is false and has urged the public to remain cautious.
The fake message wrongly claims that a Cabinet decision was made and falsely associates actor Akshay Kumar as the key supporter of the proposal. It also shares incorrect bank account details, leading to dishonoured donations. Authorities have warned citizens not to fall prey to such fraudulent campaigns.
“There is a misleading message doing the rounds on WhatsApp pertaining to donation to a particular bank account for the modernisation of the Indian Army and for the soldiers injured or killed in action. The message quotes a Cabinet decision to this effect and invokes the name of actor Shri Akshay Kumar as being the prime mover of the proposal. The account details in the said message are wrong, leading to online donations getting dishonoured. People must remain cautious and not fall prey to such fraudulent messages,” Ministry of Defence stated in a release.
The Government clarified that in 2020, it established the Armed Forces Battle Casualty Welfare Fund (AFBCWF) to provide immediate financial assistance to the families of soldiers, sailors, and airmen who are martyred or grievously injured during active military operations. Contributions to this fund are legitimate and can be made safely through the following official bank accounts:
Canara Bank
Fund Name: Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund
Bank Branch: South Block, Defence Headquarters, New Delhi – 110011
Account Number: 90552010165915
IFSC Code: CNRB0019055
Account Type: Savings
State Bank of India (SBI)
Fund Name: Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund
Bank Branch: Parliament Street, New Delhi – 110011
Account Number: 40650628094
IFSC Code: SBIN0000691
Account Type: Savings
Additionally, donations can also be made through a Demand Draft drawn in favour of AFBCWF, payable at New Delhi, and sent to:
Accounts Section
Adjutant General’s Branch
Ceremonial & Welfare Directorate
Room No. 281-B, South Block
IHQ of MoD (Army), New Delhi – 110011
The Government has advised people to verify any donation requests through official sources before transferring funds and to report suspicious messages immediately.
