Fake Charity Scams in Myanmar
Fraudsters exploit ongoing humanitarian crises in Myanmar to solicit donations for fake charities that divert money away from genuine relief efforts.
Part of: Fake Charity Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Myanmar's ongoing humanitarian situation has created genuine, widespread need — and genuine, active charitable responses from both local and international organisations. It has also created an environment where fake charity appeals can flourish, exploiting public compassion by mimicking the branding and messaging of real organisations to divert donations.
Fake charity scams targeting Myanmar-related causes circulate both inside the country — targeting the diaspora and sympathetic international donors — and abroad, where international donors responding to crises may not be able to distinguish real charities from fraudulent ones.
How this scam works on Myanmar
Social media posts, particularly on Facebook and Telegram, circulate urgent-looking charity appeals with images of displaced people, damaged communities, or children in need. The appeals use names and logos similar to well-known organisations, or invent plausible-sounding charity names.
Donation links lead to mobile money accounts, cryptocurrency wallets, or Western Union transfers rather than verifiable charity payment portals. Some operations use real humanitarian images without permission to make appeals look authentic.
In the diaspora context, door-to-door and community fundraising events sometimes involve fraudulent collectors who claim to represent established Myanmar charities but have no affiliation with them.
Common red flags
- An urgent donation appeal uses a payment method (mobile money, crypto, Western Union) rather than a verified charity portal.
- The charity name is similar to a well-known organisation but not identical.
- The appeal cannot be verified on the Charity Commission or equivalent registry of the country it claims to operate in.
- The social media account posting the appeal has no prior history of charitable activity.
- Pressure to donate immediately before the 'emergency closes'.
How to protect yourself
- Donate only through verified charity portals — for Myanmar, organisations like UNHCR, MSF, and Save the Children have verifiable donation pages.
- Search the charity name on a charity registry before donating.
- Do not donate via cryptocurrency or mobile-money transfers to individuals claiming to represent charities.
- Research charities on transparency platforms such as Charity Navigator or GiveWell.
- Report suspected fake charity appeals to the platform hosting them.
How to report it
- Report fake charity social media accounts to Facebook or Telegram using the built-in report tools.
- Notify the real charity if their branding is being misused.
- Report to your national charity regulator if the fraudulent charity claims registration in your country.
Frequently asked questions
The charity appeal uses real photos of displaced people — doesn't that prove it's genuine?
No — fake appeals frequently reuse real humanitarian images taken from news coverage or other organisations without permission. Authentic imagery doesn't confirm the fundraiser behind it is legitimate; verify the organisation itself, not just the photos used.
Is it safe to donate to a charity appeal that only accepts cryptocurrency?
Treat this as a significant warning sign. Established humanitarian organisations operating in Myanmar generally provide verifiable bank transfer or card donation options through official websites; an appeal that only accepts crypto or a personal mobile money account is much harder to trace.
How do I know if a WhatsApp chain fundraiser for Myanmar is legitimate?
Search for the same appeal on the claimed organisation's official website or verified social media before donating. If you can't find independent confirmation, or the donation goes to a personal account rather than an organisational one, don't send money.
How do I find verified charities working in Myanmar?
International organisations including UNHCR, ICRC, MSF (Doctors Without Borders), and Save the Children have verified Myanmar programmes. Search their official websites directly rather than clicking links from social media posts.