Online Scammers Exploit Cancer Awareness for Fraudulent Activities

scammers target Childhood Cancer Awareness, Stealing From Good Samaritans

October 5, 2025

A Twelve-Year-Old girl named Natalie, battling B-cell leukemia, recently discovered a disturbing misuse of her story.Someone created a false online narrative claiming she had passed away, and then solicited donations for funeral expenses, shocking the foundation created by her family to support children with leukemia.

The Rise of Exploitation During Awareness Months

Unfortunately, heightened awareness and fundraising during designated months like childhood Cancer Awareness-and the approaching Breast Cancer Awareness-have made them prime targets for malicious cybercriminals. Scammers are increasingly repurposing personal stories and images shared by families and foundations to create deceptive online accounts and fundraising campaigns.

This type of fraud isn’t new, but the ease with wich it can be executed has dramatically increased thanks to advancements in artificial intelligence. Generative AI, deepfake technology, and voice cloning software now allow scammers to create highly convincing false narratives with minimal effort.

A History of Deceptive Schemes

The problem extends beyond simple online scams. In 2018, a story emerged from Ohio of a mother who shaved her daughter’s head as part of an elaborate scheme to collect fraudulent donations for purported cancer treatment. More recently, in 2022, a gofundme campaign falsely claiming to benefit a homeless man in Philadelphia defrauded over 14,000 donors. A text message from one of the perpetrators revealed a chilling admission: they “had to make something up to make people feel bad.”

Platform Response and Existing Protections

Crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe are actively working to combat these scams, offering guidance on identifying fraudulent campaigns and providing reimbursement guarantees when possible. The Better Business Bureau also provides resources on avoiding crowdfunding fraud and has recently issued alerts about similar scams on TikTok. Though, effectively removing these schemes from social media relies on swift action from content moderation teams.

While major platforms like Facebook, instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube utilize AI to assist in content moderation, response times vary and the ability to detect and remove fraudulent content isn’t always consistent.

Platform	AI-Assisted Moderation	Report Response Time (Approx.)
Facebook	Yes	Variable, frequently enough 24-72 hours
Instagram	Yes	Variable, often 24-48 hours
X (Twitter)	Yes	Variable, can be slow
TikTok	Yes	Variable, improving

Did you Know? In the first few months of 2025, Meta reported taking action on one billion fake accounts.

protecting Vulnerable Stories and Individuals

Legal protections like copyright and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act can be used to protect photos and information online. However, reporting fraudulent content directly to the platform is often the fastest course of action. Recent announcements from Meta indicate a renewed focus on tackling “illegal and high-severity violations,” though it remains unclear how this will specifically address identity theft and impersonation.

Social media provides a crucial platform for cancer awareness and fundraising. It’s essential that these spaces are protected from exploitation. As AI technology continues to advance, more sophisticated moderation and deception detection methods will be required to prevent scammers from taking advantage of vulnerable individuals and organizations.

Staying Vigilant Against Online Fraud

The incidents described highlight the need for increased awareness regarding online fundraising scams. Donors should always verify the legitimacy of campaigns before contributing, and be cautious of emotionally manipulative appeals. Foundations and individuals should proactively monitor their online presence for unauthorized use of their images and stories.

Pro Tip: Always research a charity or individual before donating. Look for established organizations with transparent financial reporting and a track record of responsible fundraising.

What steps can individuals take to ensure their stories aren’t exploited by scammers? How can platforms improve their response times to reports of fraudulent activity?

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is crowdfunding fraud? Crowdfunding fraud occurs when individuals or groups create false fundraising campaigns to deceive donors into contributing to a non-existent cause.
• How can I identify a fraudulent crowdfunding campaign? look for campaigns with limited information, emotional manipulation, and a lack of clarity regarding how funds will be used.
• What should I do if I suspect a crowdfunding scam? Report the campaign to the platform and contact your local consumer protection agency.
• Can I protect my photos online from being used in a scam? You can use copyright protections and the Digital Millennium Copyright act, but reporting to the platform is often faster.
• Are crowdfunding platforms liable for fraudulent campaigns? Platforms are taking steps to provide reimbursement guarantees, but ultimate obligation often falls on donors to exercise caution.
• How is AI contributing to crowdfunding fraud? AI tools and technologies are making it easier for scammers to create realistic narratives and impersonate individuals.

Share this article to help spread awareness about these scams. Have you or someone you know been affected by online fraud? Share your story in the comments below.

What steps can individuals take to verify a cancer charity’s legitimacy before donating,using resources like Charity Navigator,GuideStar,and the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance?

The Dark Side of Generosity: Cancer Charity Scams

Cancer awareness months,like October for Breast Cancer Awareness,often see a surge in charitable giving. Regrettably, this heightened generosity also attracts online scammers who exploit public empathy for financial gain. These cancer scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it harder for individuals to discern legitimate organizations from fraudulent ones. Understanding the tactics used in cancer fraud is crucial for protecting yourself and ensuring your donations reach those who truly need them.

Common Tactics Used by Cancer Scammers

Scammers employ a variety of methods to trick people into donating to fake charities or handing over personal information. Here are some of the most prevalent:

* Imitation Websites: Creating websites that closely resemble those of well-known, reputable cancer charities. These sites often use similar logos, colors, and wording to deceive donors. Look closely at the URL – slight variations can indicate a scam.

* Social Media Exploitation: Utilizing social media platforms to spread awareness of fake charities or share emotionally manipulative stories designed to elicit donations. online fundraising fraud is rampant on these platforms.

* Email Phishing: sending emails that appear to be from legitimate cancer organizations, requesting donations or personal information.These emails often contain urgent language or threats to pressure recipients into acting quickly.

* Robocalls & Text Messages: Automated phone calls and text messages soliciting donations for cancer research or patient support. These are frequently enough untraceable and designed to collect small amounts of money from a large number of people.

* Fake Online Stores: Setting up online stores that claim to donate a portion of their proceeds to cancer research, but never actually do. This is a form of charity donation scam.

recognizing Red Flags: How to Spot a Cancer Scam

Protecting yourself requires vigilance. Here’s what to look for:

* Unsolicited Contact: Be wary of any unsolicited requests for donations, especially via email, phone, or text message.

* Pressure Tactics: Legitimate charities will not pressure you to donate immediately.

* Vague Information: Lack of transparency about how donations will be used. A genuine charity will clearly outline its programs and financial information.

* unusual Payment Methods: Requests for donations via cash, gift cards, or wire transfers are red flags. Reputable charities typically accept credit cards or checks.

* Emotional Manipulation: Stories designed to evoke strong emotional responses without providing verifiable details.

* Look-Alike URLs: Carefully examine the website address for slight misspellings or variations.

Real-World Examples of Cancer-Related Scams

Several high-profile cases demonstrate the extent of this problem:

* The Cancer Fund of America: In 2015, the FTC and state attorneys general shut down the Cancer Fund of America and several affiliated charities, alleging they were largely shams that spent most of their donations on personal expenses rather than cancer research or patient support. (https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2015/05/ftc-state-attorneys-general-shut-down-cancer-fund-america-affiliated-charities)

* Fake Cure Claims: Numerous websites and individuals promote unproven “cancer cures” or treatments, often charging exorbitant fees. These are not only fraudulent but can also be hazardous,leading patients to forgo legitimate medical care.

* Social Media fundraisers: Instances of fake GoFundMe campaigns or Facebook fundraisers claiming to support cancer patients or their families, where the funds were never delivered to the intended recipients.

Protecting your Information & Donations: Practical Tips

here’s how to ensure your generosity makes a real difference:

1. Research the Charity: Before donating, verify the charity’s legitimacy using resources like:

* Charity navigator: (https://www.charitynavigator.org/)

* GuideStar: (https://www.guidestar.org/)

* Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance: (https://www.give.org/)

2. Donate Directly: Visit the charity’s official website to make a donation,rather than clicking on links in emails or social media posts.
3. Secure Websites: Ensure the website uses a secure connection (look for “https://” in the address bar and a padlock icon).
4. Review Financial Reports: Check the charity’s annual reports and financial statements to see how donations are allocated.

5.