SMA treatment: Rs 32 crore still needed, fake fundraisers and rumours hit donations

Mukkam: As people across Kerala come together to raise funds for the treatment of children suffering from the rare genetic disorder Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), fake fundraisers and misleading social media messages have become a major concern for the treatment support committee.

Mukkam police have registered a case against N.A. Naisam of Nadakkavil, Punnakkal, Thiruvambady, for allegedly attempting to collect money in the name of the children's treatment without authorisation.

A total of Rs 50 crore is required for the treatment of David, Ethan and Oliver, triplets from Poovatherichal in Kallurutty. However, a voice message circulating on social media falsely claims that the entire Rs 50 crore has already been raised and that people need not send any more money. This misinformation has affected daily collections. Meanwhile, an alleged fundraising scam has also come to light.

The committee now has to raise around Rs 32 crore within the next 26 days to meet the children's treatment expenses.

The complaint against Naisam alleges that he collected money using his personal QR code without the committee's permission and created fake volunteer identity cards. He is the chairman of Sreelekshmi Charitable Trust at West Mampatta, Mukkam.

Naisam reportedly started collecting money two weeks ago, but the treatment support committee came to know about it only last Saturday. After the committee lodged a police complaint, Naisam visited its office and handed over Rs 55,000, claiming that it was the total amount he had collected.

However, the matter came to light after collection agents working for the trust revealed that more than Rs 1 lakh had been collected in cash in the children's names, apart from additional amounts received through QR code payments.

The trust had started functioning four months ago and had appointed collection agents with a promise of a monthly salary of Rs 25,000. Each agent was given a daily collection target of Rs 3,000. The employees came forward with allegations against the trust chairman after they reportedly went without salaries for two months.

The huge amounts collected daily in the name of charitable activities were allegedly deposited into a bank account held in the name of Naisam's mother.

Be careful while transferring money

The treatment support committee had opened a fundraising account at the Federal Bank's Omassery branch in the name of the children's father. Committee members have urged people to verify the account holder's name before transferring money by scanning the QR code. The correct account holder's name is Arun P.D.