Fake Charity Scams in Georgia
Fraudulent charity appeals in Georgia exploit regional displacement crises and natural disasters to divert donations from genuine relief organisations.
Part of: Fake Charity Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Georgia's position in a region with ongoing displacement — including internally displaced persons from Abkhazia and South Ossetia — creates genuine humanitarian needs that are periodically exploited by fake charity scams. Fraudulent appeals mimicking legitimate Georgian NGOs and international organisations solicit donations that never reach any charitable purpose.
The scams circulate on Facebook and through messaging apps, with urgent humanitarian imagery in Georgian, Russian, and English to reach broad donor audiences.
How this scam works on Georgia
A Facebook post or Telegram message displays images of displaced people or disaster victims with an urgent donation request. The appeal uses names similar to registered Georgian NGOs or international organisations, directing donations to personal mobile money accounts or cryptocurrency wallets.
Fake emergency appeals spike following genuine natural events — floods in eastern Georgia, winter emergencies in highland villages — when public readiness to donate is highest. Some operations impersonate established Georgian civil society organisations by copying partial branding.
Common red flags
- Donations are directed to a personal mobile money account rather than a verified charity portal.
- The charity name resembles a known Georgian NGO but is not identical.
- The appeal circulates only through personal social media with no verifiable organisational backing.
- Extreme urgency prevents careful verification before donating.
How to protect yourself
- Donate only through verified Georgian NGOs or international organisations with published bank accounts.
- Verify NGO registration at the Civil Registry Agency of Georgia.
- Research charities via Transparency Georgia or the USAID Georgia partner list.
- Do not donate via personal mobile money accounts or cryptocurrency addresses.
How to report it
- Report fake charity appeals to the Civil Registry Agency of Georgia.
- Report the social media post to Facebook or Telegram.
- Notify the genuine NGO if their branding is being impersonated.
Frequently asked questions
A Facebook post about IDPs from Abkhazia asked for mobile money donations — how do I know if it's genuine?
Search for the same appeal on an established Georgian NGO's official website, verified through the Civil Registry Agency of Georgia, rather than donating directly to a personal mobile money account shown in the post. Genuine IDP appeals are typically also promoted by organisations like UNHCR or NRC.
Fake charity posts spike after floods or winter emergencies — how do I give safely during a real crisis?
Donate through the official channels of established international or Georgian organisations you look up independently, rather than clicking links in urgent social media posts. These organisations also cover genuine emergencies, letting you verify need and legitimacy together.
The charity name is almost identical to a real Georgian NGO — is that a coincidence?
No — using a name very similar to a known, trusted organisation is a deliberate tactic to borrow credibility while avoiding exact impersonation. Double-check spelling and search for the organisation's official registration before donating.
How do I find verified charities working in Georgia?
The USAID Georgia partner list and the Civicus Monitor Georgia profile provide good starting points. For IDP-related causes, UNHCR, NRC, and GYLA (Georgian Young Lawyers Association) are established verified organisations.