Temple and Mosque Donation Phishing Scams on WhatsApp
Scammers use WhatsApp broadcast messages and cloned community group chats to solicit fake donations for temple or mosque projects, often timed around religious holidays or building appeals.
Part of: Temple / Mosque Donation Phishing Scam
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
WhatsApp is widely used by temple and mosque communities to share updates, event details, and genuine donation appeals within trusted family and neighbourhood groups. Scammers exploit this same trust by joining or cloning these group chats, or by messaging individuals directly, to solicit donations for building funds, festival preparations, or emergency repairs that do not actually need the money, or do not exist at all.
How this scam works on WhatsApp
A message circulates in a WhatsApp group or is forwarded between contacts, claiming to be from a temple or mosque committee, describing an urgent need, a leaking roof, a delayed construction project, or preparation costs for an upcoming festival, and providing a payment number or QR code for direct donation. Because the message is often forwarded by someone the recipient trusts, having received it from another group member, it carries an implied endorsement the scammer never actually earned, and the payment details frequently lead to a personal account unconnected to the real place of worship's verified treasury.
A more targeted version involves a scammer joining a community WhatsApp group under a name resembling a known committee member, then messaging individual members privately claiming a special or confidential collection is underway for a specific cause, asking for a quick transfer before the appeal is 'closed,' relying on the individual not cross-checking with the wider group before paying.
Common red flags
- A donation appeal on WhatsApp that provides only a personal phone number or account rather than the temple or mosque's known official payment details
- Messages forwarded many times with no way to verify the original source
- Urgency claiming a donation window will close soon or a project will stall without immediate funds
- A private message from someone claiming to be a committee member asking for a 'confidential' or special collection
- No confirmation of the appeal from the temple or mosque's official noticeboard, website, or in-person announcements
- Slight variations in a known committee member's name or profile photo
How to protect yourself
- Verify any donation appeal directly with temple or mosque staff or committee members in person or by a known phone number
- Donate only through the official, published payment details of your place of worship, not a number shared only in a forwarded message
- Ask in the group chat itself whether others have verified the appeal before sending money
- Be cautious of any 'confidential' or private donation request that bypasses the community's normal, open process
- Check the temple or mosque's official announcements or website for confirmation of any building or emergency appeal
- Report suspicious numbers or profiles to the group administrator so they can be removed
How to report it
- Report the number or message within WhatsApp using the app's built-in 'Report' feature
- Notify the temple or mosque committee directly so they can warn the wider community
- Report to Action Fraud (UK) at actionfraud.police.uk or the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov (US)
- Contact your bank or payment provider if a donation has already been sent to a suspicious account
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to donate through a payment number shared directly in a WhatsApp group?
Only if you can verify that number matches your place of worship's officially published payment details, since a number shared only within a forwarded message cannot be assumed genuine just because it appeared in a trusted group. Check against a known source, such as the noticeboard or official website, first.
How do scammers get added to a private community WhatsApp group in the first place?
They may be added by a well-meaning member who doesn't realise the number belongs to a scammer, or join through a shared invite link posted publicly. Group administrators reviewing new members and invite link settings can help reduce this risk.
What if the message says the appeal is 'confidential' and I shouldn't mention it to others?
Treat this as a significant warning sign, since a genuine collection for your place of worship would not need to be hidden from the wider community or committee. Legitimate appeals are normally open and can be freely discussed or verified with others.
How can I confirm a temple or mosque donation appeal shared on WhatsApp is real?
Contact the place of worship directly using a phone number or contact you already know, or check their official noticeboard or website, rather than relying on payment details included in a forwarded message.
What should I do if I see a scam appeal circulating in my community group?
Alert the group administrator and the temple or mosque committee immediately so the message can be addressed and other members warned before they donate.