People & Trust
Charitable & Disaster Fraud
Soliciting donations for fake or sham charities, or diverting funds from real ones, especially after disasters and high-profile events when donors are eager to help.
01 — How it works
- 01
Trigger
Launch a campaign right after a disaster.
- 02
Solicit
Collect donations via fake sites and calls.
- 03
Absorb
Keep the funds or spend them on overhead.
- 04
Disappear
Close the domain and reopen under a new name.
02 — Lifecycle
From first contact to detection.
Campaign
Solicitations launched after a disaster.
Donations
Donors give through fake sites and calls.
Diverted
Funds kept or spent on overhead.
Shuttered
The operation closes and rebrands.
03 — Common variants
- Fake disaster relief
- Sham charities
- Impersonated nonprofits
- Telemarketing schemes
04 — Statutes & penalties
18 U.S.C. § 1343 (Wire Fraud), § 1341 (Mail Fraud)
Up to 20 years; state charity regulators may also act. Restitution covers diverted donations.
05 — How people are drawn in
Rings buy domain names and call lists immediately after a disaster; telemarketing contractors may solicit for sham charities for a cut.
06 — Examples
- Fake disaster-relief websites and social posts collecting donations.
- Sham veterans, police, and children's charities that spend little on programs.
- Fraudsters impersonating legitimate charities after a hurricane or fire.