Warning Over Fake Fundraising Emails

People were today warned not to fall for hoax appeals for donations as fraudsters try to cash in on the humanitarian crisis in Burma.

The fund raisers' professional body said major disasters are a magnet for criminals looking to make money on the back of respected charity brands.

"It's a major problem for charities, no one is immune to it, and big disasters such as in Burma and China bring fraudsters in," said Megan Pacey, the director of policy and campaigns at the Institute of Fund raising.

The warning comes after hoaxers sent out emails purporting to be from the Red Cross and appealing for people to make a donation. They cloned the Red Cross website form asking for bank details, topped with the charity's logo and real address.

In an email, received by SocietyGuardian.co.uk, people were asked to "Make a donation to help us fight poverty and suffering around the world."

The email reads: "Make a donation to help us fight poverty and suffering around the world. No credit card needed! With only one call or sums you will donate £1.50 !"

Donors were asked to fill in the Red Cross form and send it to an address fraudsters had set up, info@britishredcross.org.uk, which is similar to the real one the charity uses.

A spokesman for the charity, Mark South, said: "It is like spam or phishing or that kind of scam. The telltale signs are there that this is not real.

"It's happened before. When it does we contact the police and if it's a fake website we get it shut down."

He said if people want to donate they can do it through the charity's website. If they have doubts about emails or appeals they can contact its fraud advice team.