The Spanish government has shut down the ‘Ayuda Valencia’ website (ayudavalencia.es) after the National Police detected signs of fraud. The site claimed to be raising funds to assist in the recovery from the devastating DANA storm in Valencia. It has been suspended on the grounds of fraudulent activity involving cryptocurrencies.
The action was initiated urgently at the request of the Policia Nacional´s Provincial Information Brigade in Valencia. They raised concerns about the legitimacy of donations being requested through the website. According to the police, the website was soliciting Bitcoin donations supposedly intended to help those affected by the storm, but suspicions arose that these donations were fraudulent.
Public warned to use verified channels for donations
The public body Red.es, responsible for managing the ‘.es’ domains and overseen by the Ministry of Digital Transformation, released a statement confirming the suspension. They explained that internet service providers were instructed to immediately block user access to the site to prevent further suspected fraudulent activity. The ‘Ayuda Valencia’ domain had only been registered recently, on 1 November, raising further suspicions.
The government has urged citizens to verify any donation channels before contributing financially to aid efforts in the region. They emphasised the importance of only using trusted and verified sources to provide financial assistance for the reconstruction efforts following the DANA storm. Additionally, they reassured the public that the investigation is ongoing, but no further details about those potentially affected have been released.
Fraudsters targeting major crises
Cybercriminals often exploit major crises such as the DANA storm, health emergencies, or other significant events to launch fraudulent schemes. Setting up fake websites to collect donations is a common tactic, with scammers either impersonating well-known NGOs or presenting themselves as emergency relief initiatives, as seen in the case of ‘Ayuda Valencia’. These fraudulent sites can also prompt visitors to download malicious files, stealing personal or financial information under the guise of offering assistance.
In response, the government has pointed citizens to the official Moncloa website, which now contains a dedicated section for updates on the DANA storm, including a guide on how to apply for aid. Additionally, specific social media accounts have been set up to provide reliable information.
Most genuine citizen initiatives in Valencia have focused on connecting volunteers with those in need and conveying essential needs to the authorities, rather than seeking direct financial contributions. The government is encouraging people to be cautious and remain vigilant against fraudulent donation requests during such a vulnerable time.