Disaster Relief Scams via bKash
How fraudsters exploit Bangladeshi flood and cyclone disasters to solicit bKash donations for fake relief operations.
Part of: Disaster Relief Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Bangladesh experiences recurring floods and cyclones that generate strong national and diaspora charitable impulses. Fake disaster relief campaigns capitalise on this by appearing on Facebook and WhatsApp within hours of a disaster, directing bKash donations to personal numbers. The combination of genuine tragedy, rapid information spread, and bKash's accessibility creates optimal conditions for fraud.
Fraudsters sometimes begin these campaigns before a disaster has even struck — launching based on storm forecasts — to capture early donations from the most concerned donors.
How this scam works on bKash
Fake posts share genuine news imagery with a simple message: water has entered homes, people need food and medicine, send bKash now. A personal number is provided. The operator may initially respond to donor queries with fabricated photos of distribution efforts.
Some fraudsters impersonate Union Parishad (local government) officials or known NGO field workers by name, relying on the fact that these individuals are busy with the actual disaster and unlikely to monitor social media for impersonation.
After the first round of donations, a follow-up campaign may arrive claiming additional urgent needs. Diaspora communities — who feel distant guilt and urgency simultaneously — are particularly targeted.
Common red flags
- Relief donation requests on Facebook or WhatsApp directing to a personal bKash number within hours of a disaster
- No affiliation with NGOAB-registered organisations
- Photos that reverse-search to different disasters or stock imagery
- No verifiable field contact or address for the relief operation
- Operator is unresponsive to requests for registration documentation
- The same bKash number appears in multiple different named campaigns
How to protect yourself
- Donate through NGOAB-registered organisations or verified government relief channels only
- Call the listed number before donating to confirm the operation's legitimacy
- Delay by 24 hours — genuine relief operations are sustained, not hour-sensitive
- Report suspicious campaigns to bKash at 16247 and to NGOAB at ngoab.gov.bd
- Share verified relief channels instead of unverified forwarded posts
How to report it
- Report the bKash number to bKash fraud prevention via hotline 16247
- File a complaint with the Bangladesh police cybercrime unit
- Report the fundraising post to Facebook or WhatsApp and to NGOAB
Frequently asked questions
How do I donate safely to Bangladesh disaster relief via mobile money?
Use the official bKash for Business accounts of organisations registered with NGOAB, such as BRAC or Caritas Bangladesh. Their numbers are published on their official websites. Never donate to personal bKash numbers shared solely through social media or WhatsApp, regardless of how urgent or authentic the appeal appears.