Fake Disaster Relief Charity Scam

Scam Operation Details

Event Targeted: Recent hurricane affecting Florida Charity Name: "Hurricane Relief Foundation" Website: hurricanehelpnow[.]org Methods: Social media ads, email campaigns, phone calls

Tactics Analysis

Emotional Manipulation

1. Imagery: Heartbreaking photos of disaster victims (stolen from news)
2. Stories: Fake survivor testimonials
3. Urgency: "Help needed immediately"
4. Guilt: "Don't turn away from suffering"

Professional Presentation

1. Website: Well-designed with donation tracking
2. Credentials: Fake 501(c)(3) number
3. Transparency: Fake financial reports
4. Endorsements: Fabricated celebrity support

Donation Processing

• Amounts: $25, $50, $100, $250 preset options
• Methods: Credit card, PayPal, cryptocurrency
• Recurring: Opt-out pre-checked for monthly donations
• Receipts: Automated but fake tax receipts

Investigation Findings

Website Analysis

• Domain: Registered 3 days after disaster
• Hosting: Offshore, privacy protection
• SSL: Legitimate certificate (adds false trust)
• Traffic: 50,000+ visitors (mostly from social media ads)

Financial Tracking

• PayPal Account: New, unverified business account
• Crypto Wallets: Multiple, funds moved quickly
• Estimated Scam: $250,000+ in 2 weeks
• Withdrawals: Through mixing services

Social Media Campaign

• Platforms: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok
• Ad Spend: ~$5,000 targeting compassionate demographics
• Engagement: Fake comments and shares
• Duration: 2-week campaign before detection

Verification Process

Red Flags Identified

1. Charity Verification:
   • Not in IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Search
   • BBB Wise Giving Alliance had no record
   • State charity registration missing
2. Website Issues:
   • No physical address
   • Generic contact form only
   • Copy-pasted content from legitimate charities
3. Financial Transparency:
   • No board members listed
   • Fake annual reports
   • Vague "program expenses"

Legitimate Alternatives

Provided information for:

• American Red Cross
• Salvation Army
• Local verified charities
• Direct aid organizations

Reporting Actions

Multi-Agency Approach

1. Federal:
   • FTC Charity Fraud
   • FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
   • IRS Tax-Exempt Organization division
2. State:
   • Attorney General charity division
   • Department of Consumer Protection
3. Private:
   • PayPal fraud report
   • Social media platform reports
   • Domain registrar abuse report

Prevention Guidelines

For Donors

1. Research Before Donating:
   • Verify through Charity Navigator or BBB
   • Check IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search
   • Search for complaints or reviews
2. Safe Donation Practices:
   • Never donate via wire transfer or gift cards
   • Use credit cards for fraud protection
   • Avoid pressure to donate immediately
3. Recognition:
   • Legitimate charities won't pressure you
   • Real charities provide detailed information
   • Verified charities have track records

Impact Assessment

Financial Loss: Millions diverted from real relief Emotional Harm: Exploited compassion of donors Trust Erosion: Damages legitimate charity sector Recovery: Difficult but possible through chargebacks