Children with Cancer Exploited in $4m Crowdfunding Scam, BBC Investigation Reveals

A global network has allegedly defrauded desperate families of millions of dollars raised online for children with cancer, according to a BBC World Service investigation. The investigation uncovered that at least 15 families received little or none of the funds reportedly raised in their names, despite appearing in professionally produced crowdfunding campaigns.

One of the children affected, seven-year-old Chance Letikva Khalil from the Philippines, was filmed under distressing conditions for a campaign that raised $27,000 (£20,204). His mother, Aljin, revealed that despite the campaign’s apparent success, she received only a $700 (£524) filming fee. Khalil died a year later.

The scam involved scripted videos where children were asked to cry on camera, sometimes through distressing methods such as chopping onions nearby or using menthol under the eyes. Parents were often told the campaigns would fund treatment, but many were unaware the videos had even been published.

Nine families linked to the same network report receiving none of the $4 million (£2.9 million) raised. A whistleblower described how the scammers specifically sought “beautiful children” aged three to nine with hair loss.

The investigation identified Erez Hadari, an Israeli man living in Canada, as a key figure in the network, and campaigns operated under the name Chance Letikva (Chance for Hope), registered in Israel and the US.

The BBC investigation began after spotting a YouTube advert featuring Alexandra, a young girl from Ghana, pleading for help with her costly cancer treatments. The campaigns used emotive language and highly polished production, creating the impression of legitimate fundraising while masking the scam.

Investigators used geolocation, social media, and facial recognition to trace families across the globe, including Colombia and the Philippines, confirming the victims’ identities.

This scandal highlights the dark side of online crowdfunding, exploiting vulnerable children and families for financial gain.