Numerous social media profiles across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, all claiming to support pet shelters, have been identified as fraudulent operations originating from Mityana, a town in central Uganda. By utilizing open source intelligence techniques, it was revealed that scammers in Mityana have defrauded animal enthusiasts worldwide of over £540,000 within a five-year period by seeking financial assistance through the donation platform GoFundMe.
A recent investigation conducted by BBC Africa Eye, shared with The Mirror, has uncovered the deceptive practices behind these accounts. An undercover journalist stated, “We were alerted last year about a significant scam operation. Grassroot organizations in Uganda and Europe expressed concerns about the welfare of dogs in Mityana and the impact on global donors. The sheer volume of videos was staggering – multiple accounts frequently changing names – all focusing on numerous dogs.”
A brief TikTok video, lasting 15 seconds and uploaded in January, portrayed an injured dog on the roadside claiming to have been in an accident, urging viewers to contribute donations via a provided online link to “save its life.” Named Russet by a donor, substantial funds were raised, leading to a UK donor eventually securing the dog’s release three weeks later, transporting it to a veterinary clinic in Kampala.
The attending veterinarian, Dr. Isa Lutebemberwa, indicated that the injuries sustained by Russet were likely intentional, and despite extensive efforts, the dog tragically passed away. Dr. Lutebemberwa remarked, “Russet experienced immense pain and suffering.” The undercover reporter observed, “Russet seemed to have been exploited by various content creator groups over three weeks, while enduring severe hind leg injuries. Russet appeared to be merely a tool for content creation and potential revenue generation.”
One victim, Lianne Stone, a 38-year-old caregiver from Manchester, shared her experience of being swindled out of her savings, which she intended to donate to dogs similar to Russet. She expressed, “The videos were heart-wrenching, showcasing emaciated dogs, some wounded, some suffering. It was impossible to ignore and not feel compelled to assist them.” Reflecting on the scammers, she added, “I was deceived. Over six months, I contributed over £1,300 – more than half of my savings. I used PayPal and Western Union to send the funds, believing I was aiding these unfortunate dogs.”
Investigators scrutinized numerous online platforms soliciting donations for Ugandan pet shelters, with nearly 40% of them associated with shelters in Mityana. The BBC reported that the donated funds were misused for personal expenses such as phones, pool parties, and vehicles. Bart Kakooza, chairman of the Uganda Society for the Protection and Care of Animals, remarked, “These scammers realized they could profit by exploiting dogs.”
Commonly, the videos depicted dogs residing in rudimentary shelters, portraying them as hungry and in need of assistance. Lianne encountered distressing videos of malnourished dogs while browsing Instagram in January 2025. She shared, “As a dog owner myself, it was evident that I adored dogs. These videos started appearing on my feed – showcasing six-week-old puppies in Uganda, struggling to eat bones. I inquired, ‘Why are they starving?’ and soon received requests for monetary aid to feed them.”
The scammers assured Lianne, a single individual, that they would rescue the dogs but required financial support for their care. She narrated, “I initiated with a £70 transfer. The