Beware: Fake Army donation links circulate amid Indo-Pak tensions

As Indo-Pak tensions rise, cybercriminals across the National Capital Region (NCR) are exploiting the situation by circulating fake donation links and malware to scam unsuspecting citizens. Cybercrime units in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan have issued alerts urging the public to stay vigilant against phishing attempts, social media forwards, and suspicious APK files disguised as war updates.

These scams often appear to be donation appeals for the Indian Army or aid for border areas in Kashmir but are designed to steal financial data and personal information.

"The cybercriminals are highly active during such times. They’re not only creating fake donation links to siphon off money but also targeting users with phishing links that can lead to data theft,” said a senior Gurugram police official. “We urge everyone to avoid clicking on unverified links or downloading unknown content, even if it comes from trusted contacts.”

Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Haryana, Sumita Misra told The Tribune, “All our cybercrime units are on high alert to prevent cyberattacks. We’re focusing on awareness, urging people not to share any financial details in the name of donations for the Army or conflict-affected areas. Any suspicious activity should be immediately reported to the cyber helpline.”

Beyond financial fraud, police are warning about dangerous malware hidden in fake videos, images, and .APK or .exe files shared via WhatsApp, Telegram, and emails. These files often masquerade as breaking news or leaked war footage but are designed to breach bank and social media accounts.

Notably, police in UP and Rajasthan have activated their cybercrime units as well, identifying Mathura, Alwar, Bharatpur, and Haryana’s Nuh district as key hotspots for cyber gangs behind such scams.

With cyber hygiene now seen as vital as physical safety, officials advise users to rely only on verified news sources, update antivirus protection, back up essential data, and verify any forwarded information before sharing.