JEDDAH — The Ministry of Interior warned the public against responding to phone calls or SMS messages seeking donations or assistance from individuals posing as military or civilian figures. The ministry said the authorities had received information about an organized network of residents helped by citizens that communicates directly or through text messages with businessmen and philanthropists to convince them to hand out huge sums in donations. The ministry said members of the network received funds in cash or through bank transfers using the victims' ATM cards. The ministry also called on people who were approached by such fraudulent individuals to report the matter immediately to the authorities. — SG/SPA
