Fake Charity Scams in Ghana
Fraudulent charity appeals exploit Ghanaian generosity and communal values, diverting donations meant for flood victims, orphans, and disaster relief.
Part of: Fake Charity Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Charity fraud in Ghana exploits the country's strong culture of communal giving and religious philanthropy. After natural disasters such as floods in Accra or outbreaks of disease in rural areas, fake fundraising campaigns appear within hours on social media, complete with manipulated images and emotional video clips.
Criminals also create fictitious orphanages, schools, or church-linked welfare funds that solicit donations in person, on WhatsApp, or via payment links, with no legitimate programme behind them.
How this scam works on Ghana
Fake charity accounts are created on Facebook and Instagram, often impersonating well-known Ghanaian churches, NGOs, or public figures. Emotional images sourced from genuine disasters elsewhere are repurposed and shared with urgent appeals. Donors are directed to mobile money numbers or informal payment links rather than verified bank accounts.
In some cases, fraudsters visit businesses, markets, or churches in person carrying printed materials and collection boxes that look official. They claim to represent a registered charity and may even show counterfeit receipts or registration certificates.
Social media fundraising appeals that go viral locally are also mimicked: the original legitimate post is copied with a different payment number substituted, so donors who find the content through shares send money to the fake account.
Common red flags
- Donation requests directed to a personal mobile money number rather than a named organisation account
- Social media account created recently with few posts outside the current appeal
- No charity registration number or verifiable physical address
- Emotional imagery that cannot be traced to a credible news source
- Pressure to donate immediately before the campaign ends
- Evasion or hostility when asked for proof of registration or financial accountability
How to protect yourself
- Verify charity registration through the Department of Social Welfare or the Ghana Revenue Authority's NGO list
- Donate through the charity's official website or a verified bank account rather than a personal mobile number
- Search the charity name plus 'Ghana' on Google before donating
- Give to local branches of internationally recognised organisations during disaster response
- Ask for a receipt and the charity's registration number before any cash donation
How to report it
- Report suspected fake charities to the Department of Social Welfare
- Alert the Ghana Police Service if you believe fraud has occurred, with screenshots and payment references
- Report fraudulent social media profiles to the platform directly using the built-in reporting tools
Frequently asked questions
How can I verify a charity is real before donating?
Ask for the charity registration number and check it against the Department of Social Welfare register. Legitimate organisations welcome this question.