Japan tsunami scam exposed
The British Red Cross has condemned attempts by fraudsters to scam money from the public via fake charity appeal emails.
Emails have been circulated, as far away as Australia, purporting to be from the British Red Cross, directing people to make donations to a fake account.
The fake email directs people to a Moneybookers’ account, which is totally unrelated to the British Red Cross Japan Appeal.
Mark Astarita, head of fundraising for the British Red Cross, said,
“We are aware that there is a scam email in circulation asking people to wire money to an account that claims to support Japan.
"This account has nothing to do with the British Red Cross Japan Appeal. We never ask people to wire money, only to donate via our official website or phone number.
"The British Red Cross condemns this attempted abuse of people’s goodwill; it beggars belief that anyone would try to profit from human suffering and deliberately take money away from those in need.”
The British Red Cross is investigating the fraud, and has already ensured the fake account has been closed down.
Astarita added, “Unfortunately, fraud of this kind is becoming ever more sophisticated, and we continue to update advice on fraudulent emails on our website.
"We would urge anyone who wants to donate to the Red Cross to always do so directly via our website, rather than clicking on links, or responding to these kinds of emails.”
Anyone wishing to donate securely to the British Red Cross can do so at www.redcross.org.uk.
Emails giving details other than these are fraudulent.
If you are suspicious of an email you have received, visit http://www.redcross.org.uk/fraudadvice to help verify if the email is genuine or not.
By TravelMole Asia
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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