Volunteering under attack: how to verify a fundraiser and spot scammers

Against the backdrop of mass volunteering, scammers have also become more active – exploiting the war for personal gain. Ukraine's cyber police are recording numerous cases of phishing and fraud where fake volunteers, posing as charity workers, commit crimes by pocketing donations. To protect your money from corruption and money laundering in the volunteer sector, it's critically important for citizens to learn how to verify every private fundraiser and official organization. Frontliner explains how to do this in detail.

The full-scale war has led to an unprecedented surge in volunteer work, with Ukrainians raising money en masse for the military and those affected by the conflict. Unfortunately, fraudsters are taking advantage of this wave of public trust. On social media and messaging apps, groups of fake volunteers have appeared, posing as soldiers, priests, or well-known charity figures – asking for money supposedly for the Ukrainian forces or injured soldiers. In reality, these “collectors” pocket the funds they receive, which constitutes a crime. These scammers copy text and photos from real volunteers, create fake accounts, and list their own payment details, while using emotionally manipulative appeals.

The best defense against fraud is vigilance. There are several indicators that can signal a fake fundraiser or a fraudulent volunteer:

Lack of specifics. The post lacks clear information: who the funds are for, what exactly is being purchased, and the total fundraising goal. It usually boils down to vague phrases like “help our boys,”without any details. This lack of clarity is a serious red flag.
No proof. Scam fundraisers typically provide no reporting on how funds are used. There are no photos or videos of deliveries, no copies of receipts – nothing that would confirm real activity. If the organizer doesn’t show the outcomes of past fundraisers, be cautious.
All emotion, no fact. The appeal is full of dramatic, tearful stories and calls to “save lives,” but lacks verifiable data (such as unit names, dates, facts). This kind of emotional manipulation is meant to shut down critical thinking.
Suspicious profile. A scammer’s social media page often looks unnatural: very few personal (especially group) photos, recently created account, low number of friends or followers. Often, these accounts are created specifically to “raise money for the Armed Forces.” That’s a clear sign of a fake.
Strange formatting. If the post is full of unusual emojis, letters are replaced with symbols, or odd fonts are used – it could be an attempt to bypass social media filters. Genuine volunteers don’t intentionally distort the text of their posts.
Mass messaging. Scammers send out the same donation requests to dozens of groups or chats. If, instead of any real information, you’re immediately sent just a bank card number, it’s likely someone is trying to scam you.
Private messages from strangers. Real volunteers rarely message strangers with donation requests. If someone suddenly contacts you in private DMs claiming to be a volunteer, it’s better to ignore the message or verify the person separately.
Requests for advance payment. One specific type of wartime scam involves offering so-called volunteer services – such as evacuations or deliveries – while asking for payment upfront. Once they receive the money, these “saviors” disappear. Don’t fall for such offers without thorough verification.

How to check a volunteer or group before donating

Scammers may hide behind the names of fake foundations or even impersonate real organizations. If the fundraiser is organized by a private individual or volunteer group you don’t personally know, do a little background check before sending any money. Ukraine’s cyber police recommend the following steps:

Ask about the results of previous fundraisers. Honest volunteers publish public reports: photos/videos of deliveries, invoices, thank-you notes from the military. A refusal to provide any proof should be a warning sign.
Check their reputation. Try to gather information: does this volunteer cooperate with well-known foundations or public figures? Having partnerships with reputable institutions increases trust.
Analyze the photos and documents. Use Google Reverse Image Search to verify the images a volunteer posts as proof. If those photos already appear somewhere else (on someone else’s page), you are likely dealing with copied content. This can be a sign of fraud and a criminal scheme.
Verify identification. If someone shows you an ID issued by an official organization or a military unit, verify its authenticity by contacting the institution that issued the document.

It is also worth reviewing the volunteer’s social media profiles: the date the page was created, the content before the war and during it. Recently created accounts with no history of helping others or personal posts look suspicious. Ask for contacts of people or units this volunteer has already supported, and check their feedback. Honest charity workers understand why these checks are necessary – because they care about their reputation.

How to verify a charity foundation or organization

Fraud is often masked under the names of fake foundations. So before sending money, make sure the organization is trustworthy. This helps avoid corruption and money laundering.

Legal registration. All legitimate foundations are officially registered. You can check this through public state registries using the organization’s EDRPOU code. if the organization is not listed in the Unified State Register — it’s better not to send money.
Contacts and transparency. Check whether the foundation has an official website, a physical office address, working phone numbers, and responsible representatives. A reputable organization does not exist only online.
Public finances. Request the charter documents, names of founders, and financial reports for previous years. The law requires charitable foundations to publish this information.
Pay special attention to payment details. It is better to donate to the official bank account of the foundation (an account registered to the organization’s name). Sending money to a private individual’s personal card on behalf of a foundation should raise questions — especially if the recipient’s name does not match the name of the stated volunteer.

Who you can trust: reliable platforms

If you are unsure about a private fundraiser, there are always reliable alternatives. They guarantee that your donation will not become part of a scam.

Come Back Alive (Повернись живим): One of the largest foundations supporting the military since 2014. Known for equipment procurement and transparent reporting.
Serhiy Prytula Foundation: Recognized for large‑scale public fundraisers (Bayraktars, satellite). Publishes financial and monthly reports openly.
Serhiy Sternenko Foundation: Focused on fast and high‑tech frontline support (mainly drones). Regularly posts detailed photo and video reports on deliveries.
UNITED24: The official national fundraising platform initiated by the President of Ukraine. All funds go directly to National Bank of Ukraine accounts. This is the most official channel.

Scammers sometimes create fake pages using the names of well‑known foundations. If someone contacts you “on behalf” of one of these foundations and asks you to send money to a private bank card — do not do it.

What to do if you suspect fraud

If a fundraiser raises suspicion, the main rule is: do not send money immediately until you verify its legitimacy.

Ask questions first. Contact the organizer and request clarifications about reporting, the purpose of the fundraiser, and why these particular payment details are used. Aggression, avoidance of answers, or demands to “send money right now” are almost always signs of fraud. If the request came from someone you know, but the style of the message seems unusual, verify it. Contact them through another channel to make sure their account was not hacked.

If your suspicions grow stronger, report the issue to the moderators of the platform where you saw the fundraiser.

Next, it is important to officially report the crime: contact the cyber police.

You can file a report online via the form on their official website, or by calling their hotline at 0-800-505-170.

Be sure to save all evidence: screenshots of the fundraiser post and the payment details.

If the worst has happened — if you’ve already become a phishing victim (e.g. entered your card details on a suspicious site) or sent money — act immediately: Call your bank to try and block the transaction or freeze your card. Fraud during wartime is not a minor offense — it’s an attack on a collective effort.