BBC Uncovers Ugandan Scammers Abusing Dogs to Elicit Donations Abroad
A BBC Africa Eye investigation has revealed that a group of scammers in Uganda is deliberately injuring dogs and staging rescue scenes on social media to solicit donations from animal lovers abroad. The report has drawn condemnation from animal welfare groups at home and abroad.
A months-long BBC Africa Eye investigation followed a scam network operating in multiple parts of Uganda. The group was injuring street dogs and then live-streaming their treatment to solicit money from overseas donors via cryptocurrency and bank transfers.
Reporters used hidden cameras to document the injuries, showing they had been inflicted deliberately rather than caused by chance attacks. Investigators concluded that much of the money received did not go to veterinary care but was funnelled into the organisers' personal accounts.
Following publication, Uganda's Ministry of Animal Welfare said it had opened an inquiry, while international animal protection groups urged donation platforms to tighten checks on submitted campaigns. The case has drawn fresh attention to wider verification gaps in the global digital-giving ecosystem.
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