Police in Maharashtra's Beed district have initiated legal action against four individuals accused of orchestrating a major financial fraud. The group allegedly collected more than Rs 4 crore from the public by falsely claiming the funds would be used to support Palestine during its ongoing conflict with Israel.
The Fraudulent Scheme and Police Action
According to a police official, the accused solicited money under the guise of humanitarian aid for Palestine. The fighting between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, 2023, leading to a significant humanitarian crisis. The official stated that local police and the state's anti-terrorism unit acted on specific intelligence regarding suspected terror funding.
A search operation was subsequently conducted in Patrud village within the Majalgaon region. The investigation revealed that the collected funds, exceeding Rs 4 crore, were deposited into a bank account belonging to a trust. Crucially, this trust was not registered with the charity commissioner, rendering the entire fund collection operation illegal.
Legal Charges and Ongoing Probe
The Majalgaon rural police have formally registered a case of cheating and fraud against the four accused. Two of the individuals have already been arrested in connection with the scam. Authorities are now delving deeper into the network and motives behind the fraud.
A critical aspect of the ongoing investigation is to verify potential links between the accused and any proscribed organisations. Police are also working to determine if the collected funds were ultimately intended for terror financing purposes, adding a serious dimension to the case.
Context of the Israel-Palestine Conflict
The fraud exploited public sentiment surrounding the prolonged Israel-Hamas war. Citing news agency PTI, the conflict has resulted in a Palestinian death toll of 71,391, with 1,71,279 people wounded. Notably, even after a ceasefire was reached to halt fighting in Gaza in October 2025, more than 400 deaths have been reported, highlighting the enduring tension and humanitarian need that the fraudsters exploited for personal gain.
This case underscores the vigilance of Maharashtra police in monitoring suspicious financial activities and serves as a warning against donating to unverified entities, even for causes that evoke strong emotional responses.
