Fake Charity Disaster QR-Poster Appeal Scam Examples
Scammers set up fake charity pages or physical QR-code posters following a disaster or humanitarian crisis, intercepting donations meant for genuine causes.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
URGENT: Donate now to support victims of [disaster]. Scan QR code. 100% of donations go directly to families on the ground.
Help the people of [region] today. Tap to donate via our secure payment portal: [fake link]. Every penny counts.
Emergency relief appeal for [crisis]. We're a registered charity providing food and shelter. QR code below.
Stand with [cause] — donate here [fake link]. Our volunteers are on the ground right now. Share widely.
What the scammer wants
To divert charitable donations to themselves by impersonating a real charity or creating a convincing fake one, exploiting public goodwill during a crisis.
Red flags in the message
- No registered charity number or verifiable address
- QR code or link that does not go to a known, verified charity website
- Pressure to donate immediately using urgency language
- Requests for wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards rather than normal card donation
- Social media account is brand new with few followers
A safe response
Before donating, verify the charity on an official register (e.g. Charity Commission in the UK or GuideStar in the US). Search the charity name directly rather than using the QR code or link provided.
What not to send
- Donations via unverified QR codes or links
- Wire transfers or cryptocurrency
- Gift card codes
What to do if you already replied
- Report the fake appeal to the relevant charity regulator
- Contact your bank if you made a card payment
- Share a warning with anyone you forwarded the appeal to
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot the full message or call details
- Note the sender number, email, or profile
- Save any links (without clicking) and payment details
- Record dates and times