Beware: AI-Generated Charity Scams – How Fraudsters Exploit Your Kindness.
In today’s fast-evolving digital landscape, technology brings us incredible benefits: we can connect with loved ones around the globe in seconds, shop for anything without leaving our homes, and even donate to people in need with just a few clicks. But alongside these conveniences lurks a darker reality—one where scammers exploit your compassion, armed with powerful new tools like artificial intelligence (AI) to deceive and defraud.
Recently, Cambodia has witnessed a troubling rise in online scams targeting charitable donations, where fraudsters use AI-generated images and stories to tug at your heartstrings—and empty your wallet.
A tragic story that wasn’t real
It all began with a widely shared set of images on Facebook. One showed a small boy clutching his younger brother. Another claimed to be of their recently deceased mother. The posts were written with heartbreaking language, pleading for donations to help these newly orphaned children. Moved by what seemed like raw tragedy, hundreds of social media users quickly shared the story, urging their networks to contribute.
But there was just one problem: none of it was true.
Cambodia’s Anti-Cyber Crime Department investigated and found that the pictures were not genuine photographs at all—they were AI-generated images, fabricated to mimic real suffering. The story of the mother who had died, leaving two helpless boys behind, was entirely made up.
Also read: How to Protect Yourself from Deepfake Fraud: A Case Study from Cambodia
Even worse, the scammers attached QR codes and e-wallet numbers to their posts, hoping to lure well-meaning people into transferring money directly into their hands.
The many faces of AI deception
The investigation uncovered more troubling details. The same fraudulent network operated a Facebook page named “Khmer Khmer,” which had also posted another equally emotional appeal: this time, claiming a grief-stricken wife could not afford a coffin for her recently deceased husband. Again, the post was paired with heart-wrenching images—also generated by AI.
The Anti-Cyber Crime Department warned the public:
“This scam uses AI technology to create images of orphans and attaches them to QR codes to receive money from unsuspecting donors.”
They also found that the account was spreading false information about fundraising efforts for people supposedly stranded at the Cambodian-Thai border. Authorities have promised further investigations and possible legal action against those responsible.
But even if this particular scam is stopped, it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The rise of AI in scams
Artificial intelligence is astonishing. It can create breathtaking art, compose realistic human-like voices, and generate entire images or videos that seem indistinguishable from reality. One such tool, Deepfake technology, allows anyone to swap faces or manipulate video clips to make people appear to say or do things they never did.
Generative AI can also conjure entirely new faces—portraits of people who don’t even exist, yet look convincingly real. It can place them in carefully designed settings: a grieving family outside a rundown hut, a tearful child holding a wilted flower by a fresh grave, or a tired mother with sunken eyes, clutching a malnourished baby.
Also read: How AI is Transforming Access to Finance in Cambodia?
For scammers, these tools are a goldmine. They no longer need to steal photos from real victims (which was already cruel enough); they can invent tragedies from scratch, complete with faces that can’t be reverse searched or traced back to any living person.
These AI tools can be operated by almost anyone with a smartphone. They’re cheap, fast, and accessible—making it easier than ever for malicious actors to spin up countless fake stories.
Real Case Study – AI Scammer Arrested
On the evening of July 8, 2025, under the direct supervision of Major General Huot Sothy, Commissioner of the Siem Reap Police Station, and with procedural coordination by His Excellency Meas Chanpiseth, Prosecutor of the Siem Reap Provincial Court, the Anti-Technology Crime Bureau and the Sotornikom District Police Inspectorate collaborated with the Anti-Technology Crime Department to arrest Hong Phea. Hong Phea, a 30-year-old resident of Laeng Baek Village in Sotornikom District, was apprehended for committing fraud through social media by operating multiple Facebook accounts, including “Khmer Khmer,” “Hong Phea,” “Me Siem Reap,” and “Ah Su.”
The investigation revealed that throughout 2025, Hong Phea used these accounts to post emotionally charged, AI-generated images of orphans, disabled people, and soldiers supposedly in urgent need of assistance. His intention was to exploit the compassion of unsuspecting donors, convincing them to send money to his ACLEDA and ABA bank accounts via QR codes. During questioning, Hong Phea confessed to receiving roughly 2 million riel from these fraudulent schemes, which he admitted to using for personal expenses. Following his confession, the Special Bureau of the Siem Reap Police Department sent the case to the Siem Reap Provincial Court for legal proceedings.
This case highlights a growing concern as AI-generated images become increasingly realistic, making it harder for the public to differentiate between genuine and fabricated appeals for help. The Siem Reap Province Police Chief has urged all citizens to exercise caution and avoid donating to online campaigns without verifying their legitimacy to prevent falling victim to such scams.
Why we fall for it?
Most people want to help others. When we see images of suffering children or families in distress, it triggers an almost automatic sense of empathy. Scammers know this—and exploit it.
Psychologists say that vivid stories and pictures have a powerful effect on human decision-making. You might not feel moved to donate if someone simply says, “Many families are hungry.” But show a single picture of a crying child with a short, emotional caption, and suddenly your heart—and your wallet—open up.
Also read: How to Protect Yourself from Scammers Offering Fake Jobs in Cambodia
Scammers are well aware of this human tendency. They rely on speed and volume: by pushing hundreds of these posts across Facebook, Telegram, and TikTok, they count on catching enough people off-guard to make the scheme profitable.
The hidden dangers beyond lost money
While losing money to fraud is bad enough, these scams carry deeper consequences.
- Real charities suffer. When donors are tricked by fake campaigns, they become more suspicious of all future appeals. Legitimate organizations trying to help children, build schools, or provide medical aid may receive fewer donations.
- Scammers get emboldened. Every successful scam encourages criminals to try again, often with more sophisticated tactics.
- Victims of real tragedies might be overlooked. As people grow weary of constant online fundraisers, genuine cases struggle to get attention.
- It fuels the growth of cybercrime networks. The money you send might not just go to an individual scammer—it could help fund larger criminal operations that traffic in drugs, people, or worse.
How to protect yourself and your generosity
The good news is that with a little caution, you can still support people in need while avoiding scams. Here’s how:
1. Verify the campaign
Before donating, check if the story is reported by reputable local news outlets or recognized NGOs. Real charities often register with government agencies and provide official receipts.
2. Look at the profile
Is the account new, with only a handful of followers and posts? Does it share mostly emotional content asking for money? These are warning signs.
3. Reverse image search
Use tools like Google Images or TinEye to check if the photos have appeared elsewhere. Many scam posts recycle pictures from unrelated incidents or AI generators.
4. Beware of pressure
Scammers often urge immediate donations: “We need help by tonight or this child will starve!” Genuine charities rarely operate under such extreme last-minute ultimatums.
5. Use secure donation platforms
Reputable NGOs usually accept donations via official websites with secure payment gateways. Be cautious if asked to send money through personal QR codes, e-wallets, or direct bank transfers to unknown individuals.
6. Educate friends and family
Share articles like this or official police warnings to help your community stay alert. Many victims are elderly or less tech-savvy and may not recognize these modern tactics.
7. Report suspicious activity
If you spot a questionable post on Facebook or another platform, report it. You can also inform local authorities like Cambodia’s Anti-Cyber Crime Department.
The larger fight against digital deception
As Cambodia grows more connected, with millions relying on smartphones for daily news and social interactions, the challenge of digital fraud only grows. Authorities are stepping up efforts to crack down on online scams—by monitoring suspicious accounts, working with tech companies, and even considering new regulations around deepfake content.
Meanwhile, global tech giants are under pressure to create better safeguards. Some platforms have started adding watermarks to AI-generated images or warning labels on suspected deepfakes. But these measures are still evolving and often fail to catch sophisticated fakes.
Ultimately, it will take a mix of technology, law enforcement, and public awareness to keep our online spaces safe.
A call to kindness—tempered with caution
None of this means we should stop giving to charity. Cambodia, like many countries, has communities that desperately need help—from children requiring life-saving medical treatment to families rebuilding after natural disasters.
Your generosity can truly change lives. But it’s more important than ever to channel that generosity wisely. Support well-known local organizations, volunteer your time, or help spread verified fundraising campaigns.
And if a story seems designed purely to make you cry and pay immediately—pause, check, and think twice.
💬 What do you think?
Have you ever come across a suspicious charity appeal online? How do you decide which causes to trust? Share your experiences or tips in the comments. Let’s help each other stay safe—while still helping those who truly need us.