Families in distress filmed without consent to raise donations they never received
An investigation by BBC Eye Investigations has revealed the existence of an international fraud network exploiting children with cancer through deceptive online fundraising campaigns. Families from Colombia, Ukraine, and the Philippines report that their children were filmed in deeply distressing conditions—often in hospital settings—to provoke sympathy and encourage donations from the public.
However, according to the investigation, these families never received a single cent of the money raised, sometimes large sums. The images and videos were shared widely across multiple online platforms with emotional appeals, giving the impression that the money would go towards urgent medical treatment. In reality, the funds were redirected to private accounts controlled by the fraudsters.
At the center of this network is Erez Hadari, an Israeli citizen currently residing in Canada. Described as a "fundraising consultant", Hadari is identified as a key figure in organizing these fraudulent campaigns. He has not responded to the allegations, despite multiple attempts by the BBC to contact him.
Crowdfunding platforms are also being criticized for their lack of oversight and accountability. Families are now demanding justice and stricter regulation of these widely used tools for humanitarian causes.
This case reignites debate about the protection of vulnerable children's images and the urgent need for proper verification in online donation systems.