Fake Charity Scams in Malta
Fraudulent charity appeals exploit Malta's generous community culture with fake campaigns mimicking real Maltese charities and international disaster appeals.
Part of: Fake Charity Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Malta has a strong culture of charitable giving, with high participation in national fundraising events. Fraudulent charity operations exploit this generosity by mimicking the branding of well-known Maltese charities or by creating plausible emergency appeals following international disasters.
Small-island dynamics mean fake campaigns shared through Facebook or WhatsApp chains can reach a substantial portion of the population quickly, and social pressure from shared posts can override individual scepticism.
How this scam works on Malta
A Facebook post or WhatsApp chain message shares a charity appeal using names similar to well-known Maltese organisations — Community Chest Fund, Puttinu Cares, or Caritas Malta. Donations are directed to a personal bank account rather than an official charity portal.
International disaster appeals also circulate, with fake Malta-administered aid funds created to capture donations. Some operations create entirely new charity names with professional Facebook pages and collect donations for months before disappearing.
Common red flags
- Donation requests go to a personal bank account rather than a registered charity account.
- The charity name resembles a known Maltese organisation but is not identical.
- The appeal circulates via WhatsApp chain with no verifiable organisational backing.
- The charity cannot be found on the Malta Voluntary Organisations register.
How to protect yourself
- Verify any charity on the Malta Voluntary Organisations register at vofunding.gov.mt.
- Donate through the official charity website rather than via social media appeals.
- Be sceptical of appeals to personal mobile payment accounts.
- For international disaster relief, use established verified organisations such as the Red Cross or UNHCR.
How to report it
- Report to Malta Police Force cybercrime unit.
- Report the Facebook page or WhatsApp account to those platforms.
- Notify the real charity if their branding is being impersonated.
Frequently asked questions
A WhatsApp chain message asked for donations for a cause similar to Puttinu Cares — how do I check if it's really them?
Go directly to Puttinu Cares' official website or verified social media to see if they are actually running the campaign described, rather than donating through the WhatsApp message. Genuine Maltese charities publicise major fundraising campaigns through their own official channels.
Is it wrong to donate through a WhatsApp chain if it feels like everyone I know has shared it?
Social pressure from a widely shared message doesn't confirm legitimacy — it can actually be a sign of a scam spreading efficiently through trusted networks. Take a moment to verify independently even if the message seems to come from many people you trust.
How do I report a fake charity page using a real Maltese organisation's logo?
Report the page directly to Facebook or the platform hosting it, and separately notify the real charity so they can issue a public warning to their own supporters about the impersonation.
How do I verify a Maltese charity is genuine?
Check the Malta Voluntary Organisations (VO) register at vofunding.gov.mt. All legitimate Maltese charitable organisations should be registered there.