Fake Charity Scams in Mozambique
After cyclones and other disasters, fraudulent charity appeals target both international donors and local Mozambicans, siphoning relief money meant for genuine victims.
Part of: Fake Charity Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Mozambique is periodically affected by powerful cyclones, flooding, and drought, generating genuine and urgent humanitarian need. Scammers exploit these events by creating fake charity pages or impersonating real NGOs to collect donations that never reach affected communities.
Both international donors moved by news coverage and Mozambican nationals trying to help their compatriots are targeted. Social media platforms allow fake appeals to spread globally within hours of a disaster, outpacing the ability of genuine organisations to warn the public.
How this scam works on Mozambique
Following cyclone events, fake GoFundMe-style pages and Facebook fundraisers appear within hours, using real photographs from news agencies to appear legitimate. Scammers craft emotionally compelling stories about named families or specific communities in Sofala, Nampula, or Zambézia provinces.
Inside Mozambique, door-to-door collectors wearing unofficial 'charity' vests solicit cash donations in urban areas after high-profile disasters. These collectors carry no verifiable documentation and the money collected has no audit trail.
Impersonation of well-known international NGOs operating in Mozambique is also common: fraudulent email campaigns or WhatsApp messages claim to be from a named relief organisation and ask recipients to donate via mobile money rather than the organisation's official channels.
Common red flags
- Donation page created very recently — days after a disaster event
- Requests payment via mobile money or wire transfer rather than the organisation's official website
- No verifiable registration number or official contact address for the charity
- High emotional pressure and graphic imagery designed to prevent careful scrutiny
- Door-to-door collector cannot provide printed official authorisation documentation
- Appeal shares no update on how previous donations were used
How to protect yourself
- Donate only through the official websites of established NGOs with a track record in Mozambique
- Search the charity's name on official registries before donating
- Ask door-to-door collectors for their official NGO registration documentation
- Share verified donation links from credible news sources rather than forwarding unverified messages
- Check whether the appeal has been acknowledged or shared by the named NGO's own social media accounts
How to report it
- Report fake donation pages to the platform hosting them (Facebook, GoFundMe, etc.)
- Alert the real NGO being impersonated so they can issue a public warning
- Report to the Instituto de Gestão de Calamidades (INGC) if a fake appeal is impersonating a government-linked body
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a cyclone relief appeal for Mozambique is genuine?
Navigate directly to the official website of the named organisation rather than clicking links in messages. Legitimate appeals will appear on the organisation's own verified social media channels and official website.