Cancer-stricken Children Fall Victim to Fraudulent Crowdfunding Schemes, BBC Investigation Reveals

In an alarming discovery, the BBC Eye Investigations team, led by Simi Jolaoso, Jack Goodman, and Sarah Buckley, has unearthed a scam targeting families of children with cancer. These fraudulent campaigns, designed to exploit the sympathy of the public, raised millions worldwide under the guise of providing life-saving treatments for their young subjects.

The investigation centers around Khalil, a young boy whose heart-wrenching plea for help was manipulated for a fundraising video. Despite the campaign supposedly raising $27,000 (£20,204), his family received only a fraction in filming fees.

Tragically, Khalil passed away a year later, his promise of better treatment unfulfilled. The BBC found that 15 families, including Khalil’s, were exploited similarly; some didn't even know of the campaigns conducted in their name. A whistleblower linked the operation to Erez Hadari, an Israeli living in Canada, noting the systemic targeting of children aged three to nine, particularly those without hair.

The investigation kicked off in October 2023 when a distressing YouTube ad caught their attention, featuring Alexandra from Ghana. Her campaign falsely claimed nearly $700,000 (£523,797) was raised. These slickly produced videos, found on YouTube, shared a disturbing similarity in their emotionally charged narratives.

The primary organization behind these scams appears to be Chance Letikva, operating out of Israel and the US, known for making exaggerated or entirely false claims about children's health conditions. The BBC used geolocation, social media, and facial recognition to trace families involved, spanning regions as diverse as Colombia and the Philippines.

Despite the flashy numbers on their websites, there is skepticism about the authenticity of the claimed donations. To test this, the BBC made small contributions and observed the totals rise accordingly. Additionally, donors reported receiving frequent manipulative requests for more funds, supposedly from the children or their families.

In the Philippines, Aljin Tabasa shared how her son Khalil's illness flipped their world upside down. Overwhelmed, she sought help from a businessman named Rhoie Yncierto, leading to their participation in the scam. This investigation sheds light on the dark side of online crowdfunding, urging donors to be more vigilant and platforms to ensure better oversight.