Ever heard of the phrase, "If it tugs at your heartstrings, it might be tugging at your wallet too"? Scammers sure have—and they’ve turned it into a business model.
A gut-wrenching scam is exploiting the generosity of well-meaning people by using images of critically ill children, often from war zones, to collect fake donations. These scammers have no shame, no morals, and certainly no intention of helping the children they claim to support.
The Heartbreaking Scam Exploiting Sick Children
How It Works
Scammers scour the internet for photos and videos of sick and injured children, particularly those from conflict zones or disaster-stricken areas. They then:
- Edit these images and overlay them with fake Hindi audio, making it seem as if the child is from India.
- Post these videos on Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms, pleading for donations.
- Provide QR codes linked to their personal payment accounts, diverting the funds meant for the child’s treatment into their own pockets.
Who’s Targeted?
- Compassionate individuals who want to help sick children.
- Social media users who come across heart-wrenching stories and donate without verifying.
- NGOs and legitimate charities whose images and branding are cloned for fraudulent campaigns.
A Real-Life Case
When five-year-old Raghad from Gaza was diagnosed with cancer, her mother, Hoda Al Khawli, did everything to get her treatment. Tragically, Raghad succumbed to her illness in early 2025. However, months after her death, scammers were still using her photos online to collect donations in her name.
“I never received a rupee from India,” Hoda said, horrified that her daughter's suffering was being exploited.
Investigations uncovered one such scammer, Atul Singh from Uttar Pradesh, who was behind the Instagram account "@shree_ram_faimly" with over 1.4 million followers. His QR codes traced back to his personal UPI account, directly linking him to the fraudulent fundraising.
Why You Should Care
This isn’t just about stolen money—it’s about stolen hope. Every rupee sent to these fraudsters is money that could have helped a legitimate cause. Meanwhile, desperate families continue to struggle for real support, while scammers enjoy luxury lifestyles built on deceit.
How to Protect Yourself
Stay Vigilant with These Steps:
- Verify Before Donating – Cross-check fundraising campaigns with official sources. Legitimate charities have transparent records.
- Beware of QR Code Donations – If a donation request only offers QR codes with no official links or NGO verification, be cautious.
- Reverse Image Search – Use Google Reverse Image Search to check if the child’s photo is being used elsewhere.
- Report Suspicious Accounts – Platforms like Instagram allow users to report fraudulent fundraising pages.
- Donate Through Trusted Organizations – Stick to established charities like UNICEF, Red Cross, or registered local NGOs.
Quick Tips & Updates
Quick Tip #1: Scammers often use stock images or stolen photos. Before donating, search for the image online to check its authenticity.
Quick Tip #2: If an account is constantly posting donation appeals but never providing updates on the child’s progress, it’s a red flag.
Stay safe, stay informed.
Keyword Definitions:
- QR Code Scam – A scam where fraudsters use QR codes to redirect donations to personal accounts instead of legitimate charities.
- Reverse Image Search – A tool to track where an image has been used online, helping verify if it has been stolen.
- UPI (Unified Payments Interface) – A digital payment system in India used for instant money transfers, often misused in scams.
- Social Media Fundraising Fraud – The act of collecting donations under false pretenses using social media platforms.
To find source article, kindly find source article here