Arabic version: المحتالون يستغلون الكلاب في أوغندا لجمع التبرعات عبر الإنترنت

In a disturbing revelation, BBC Africa Eye has uncovered a scam in Uganda where dogs are being abused to elicit donations from animal lovers worldwide. According to BBC News, the investigation highlights the case of a dog named Russet, who was filmed in Mityana, a town notorious for fraudulent animal rescue operations. Videos of Russet, claiming he was injured in an accident, circulated widely on social media, raising thousands of dollars for treatment that never materialized.

The scam operates by exploiting the emotional attachments of donors, particularly in Europe, North America, and Australia, who are often swayed by images of suffering animals. Mityana has become a hub for these fraudulent activities, with many social media accounts posting videos of sick or injured animals to solicit funds. Analysis revealed that more than $730,000 (£540,000) has been raised in the last five years for supposed animal shelters in Uganda, with nearly 40% of these fundraisers linked to Mityana.

Undercover investigations by BBC reporters revealed the grim reality behind these shelters. Dogs are often kept in squalid conditions, with multiple accounts using the same animals for fundraising purposes. One shelter operator, Charles Lubajja, admitted that the primary goal is to profit from social media viewers abroad. He revealed tactics such as staging fake veterinary treatments and inflating costs to maximize donations.

Activists have begun to combat this deception, raising awareness about the scams and identifying the worst offenders. Campaigns like ‘We Won’t Be Scammed’ are gaining traction, with individuals like Nicola Baird, who was once a victim of the scam, leading the charge against these fraudulent operations. Baird describes the scammers as the ‘epitome of evil’ and is determined to stop the abuse of animals for profit.