Temple and Mosque Donation Scams Using Fake QR Codes
Scammers swap or overlay fake QR codes at places of worship or in printed donation flyers, redirecting scanned payments intended for the temple or mosque straight into their own account.
Part of: Temple / Mosque Donation Phishing Scam
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Many temples and mosques now display a QR code for cashless donations, either on a printed sign near the entrance or in circulated flyers and social posts. Because a QR code gives no visual indication of the actual account it leads to, scammers can physically or digitally swap a legitimate code for a fake one, redirecting well-intentioned donations without the donor ever realizing anything is wrong until much later, if at all.
How this scam works on QR Code Payment
A scammer prints a sticker with a fake QR code and places it directly over the temple or mosque's real donation code displayed on a noticeboard, collection box, or entrance sign, so that visitors scanning what they believe is the official code are actually sending money to the scammer's personal account. Because most donors do not check the account name that appears after scanning, or dismiss a slightly unfamiliar name as an intermediary processor, the swap often goes unnoticed until the temple or mosque committee reviews its actual donation records and finds a shortfall.
A digital version of the same scam involves fake QR codes embedded in flyers or social media posts advertising a special festival or building fund appeal, distributed to look identical to a place of worship's genuine promotional material, redirecting donations made in response to a seasonal appeal directly to the scammer rather than the institution it claims to represent.
Common red flags
- A QR code sticker that looks slightly different in print quality, size, or placement compared to the surrounding sign
- The payee name shown after scanning does not match the temple or mosque's registered name
- A QR code appearing in a flyer or social post that cannot be confirmed through the institution's official channels
- No option to verify the donation account independently before completing payment
- Discrepancies between reported and expected donation totals noticed by the temple or mosque committee
- A QR code positioned at an angle or on a surface inconsistent with the rest of a permanent donation sign
How to protect yourself
- Check the payee or account name displayed by your payment app after scanning any donation QR code before confirming payment
- Report a QR sticker that looks tampered with, peeling, or inconsistent with the surrounding sign to temple or mosque staff immediately
- Where possible, donate through a verified in-person collection box or the institution's official website rather than an unfamiliar QR code
- Encourage your place of worship to regularly inspect and, where needed, laminate or secure donation QR codes against tampering
- Cross-check any QR code shared in a flyer or online post against the institution's officially published donation details
- Report any suspected mismatch to the committee so they can audit recent donations and alert the community
How to report it
- Report the discrepancy to temple or mosque committee members or administrative staff immediately
- Report to your bank or payment app provider if you have already sent a donation to a suspicious account
- Report to Action Fraud (UK) at actionfraud.police.uk or the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov (US)
- Report tampered physical signage to local authorities if it appears to be an ongoing pattern affecting multiple donors
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a temple or mosque QR code has been swapped?
Check the payee name displayed by your payment app after scanning, before confirming the donation, and compare it against the institution's officially registered name.
What should a place of worship do to prevent QR code tampering?
Secure donation QR codes with tamper-evident materials, inspect them regularly for stickers or overlays, and periodically reconcile scanned donation totals against expected community giving.