Kerala Police have issued a stark warning to the public, following a noticeable uptick in fraudulent schemes that exploit victims by posing as blood donors. These confidence tricks typically target families in hospitals, demanding advance payments under the guise of arranging urgent blood donations. While blood donation is altruistic, scammers are now weaponising it for monetary gain.
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Scammers Leverage Desperation with Fake Promises
Police say the fraudsters pose as medical students or volunteers offering to donate blood, only to demand upfront fees before disappearing without delivering. This pattern is particularly pernicious, given that families are often in crisis, hoping to secure blood urgently.
Kerala Police’s Crime Branch reports several such incidents in recent weeks, warning that scammers prey on social media posts made by relatives in need.
“The offer to donate blood appears generous—but demands for money in return are tell‑tale of fraud,” the advisory notes. Kerala Police reiterated that monetary compensation in blood donation has been illegal since 1998, and genuine drives never involve upfront payments.
‘Pol‑Blood’ App Promotes Safe Donation Pathways
To combat these scams, Kerala Police recommend that donors and recipients register via the “Pol-Blood” mobile app, a verified channel established in partnership with the Kerala State AIDS Control Society. The app connects registered donors with recipients, reducing dependence on unverified sources. Since its launch in 2021, the Pol‑Blood initiative has amassed over 41,000 volunteers and facilitated nearly 25,000 units of blood donation.
Authorities also advise individuals to verify requests directly with hospital blood banks or licensed Red Cross and Red Ribbon Club facilities. Any suspicious solicitation should be reported immediately via the Pol-Blood email(polblood.pol@kerala.gov.in) or through local police stations.
About the Author – Anirudh Mittal is a B.Sc. LL.B. (Hons.) student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, with a keen interest in corporate law and tech-driven legal change