Manama: A Warning has gone out to Internet users in Bahrain not to fall prey to scam artists taking advantage of the crisis in Syria.
Fraudsters have reached out to people across the country via e-mail and social media to plead for donations, Social Media Club president Ali Sabkar told the GDN.
They often pose as refugees displaced by the war and strife that has torn Syria apart in recent years, in the hopes that they can evoke enough sympathy to convince their victims to part with their bank account details and other personal information.
“This is widespread in Bahrain meaning there are gangs of people taking advantage of the situation in Syria, not just individuals,” said Mr Sabkar.
“These messages are not only sent by e-mail but are also spread on social media accounts.
“It is definitely on the increase and some of these gangs will now have gotten hold of people’s contact details and bank account numbers.
“People end up becoming a victim before they even know that they have been taken advantage of.”
Mr Sabkar called on the people of Bahrain to donate money through official bodies only such as the Royal Charity Organisation, Bahrain Red Crescent Society, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or other registered
Islamic societies.
“People should only seek out official bodies if they want to help the Syrians,” he said.
“This is the only way to guarantee that their donations will reach those in need.
“The problem is that people are so emotional and they sometimes e-mail scammers back without thinking and end up in trouble.
“Another solution, perhaps, is to reply with the contact numbers of registered societies instead of sending personal information and putting yourself at risk.”
Meanwhile, Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society secretary general Faisal Fulad said such scams were disrespectful to both the Internet users they targeted and the Syrian people as a whole.
“This not only exploits those sympathising with the situation in Syria but is abusive and very unkind towards the Syrians,” he said.
One such message was received on the GDN’s main e-mail account claiming to be from a Syrian mother called Safia, who needed money for an unspecified “investment” to help her family.
“I am an Islamic woman, a single mother-of-two,” said the e-mail in broken English.
“I am from Syria and I am checking for an honest and good-hearted person to partner with me and help me secure my family belongings.
“I have a good proposal to share with you. I am looking for a good investor to partner with me because I want to build up my investment outside Syria as it is not a safe place anymore.”
The e-mail went on to ask for personal details including full names and mobile phone numbers.
The GDN tried to contact “Safia” and ask her more about her situation but received no reply.
shahlaa@gdn.com.bh
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