BBC uncovers Ugandan scammers abusing dogs for online donations
An 18-month BBC Africa investigation has exposed a Uganda-based network that posted videos of injured dogs on social media to solicit donations from viewers worldwide. The probe shows that the money went to the scammers rather than to the animals. Police have arrested one suspect and rescued dozens of dogs.
An 18-month undercover investigation by BBC Africa has exposed a scam network based in Uganda's capital Kampala. Members of the network posted videos on social media that displayed sick or injured dogs to elicit donations from animal lovers. The BBC team documented how the donations went to the personal bank accounts of the scammers rather than toward animal care.
Footage shows that some dogs were deliberately injured or kept underfed inside makeshift shelters. Donors in the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany said they had struggled to trace the money. A significant share of payments was funnelled through cryptocurrency wallets.
Ugandan police arrested one suspect after the BBC handed over its evidence and rescued dozens of dogs from premises linked to the scam network. Officials said the investigation could expand. Veterinarians working with the BBC said local civil society groups had taken in the rescued dogs for treatment and care.
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