Panama’s Electoral Tribunal (TE) issued an urgent fraud alert Monday after discovering that scammers are using the institution’s name to solicit cash and fuel donations for earthquake victims in the Azuero region and central provinces. The Panama donation scam involves private phone numbers contacting businesses, local authorities, and individuals with false claims of official relief coordination.
The agency confirmed it is not requesting any form of aid through third parties for those affected by the recent seismic event. Officials said the fraudulent callers specifically ask for gasoline and cash, claiming they have vehicles ready to transport medicine and food but lack money to cover fuel and staff expenses.
Panama Donation Scam Exploits Disaster Relief Efforts
The fraudulent scheme emerged as Panama grapples with earthquake recovery across multiple provinces. Scammers reportedly tell potential donors they represent the Electoral Tribunal’s relief operations, a claim the institution flatly denies. The TE said it has provided assistance to affected communities exclusively through its own internal mechanisms, without intermediaries.
In an official statement, the electoral body condemned the activity.
“The Electoral Tribunal rejects these typical behaviors of malicious individuals who use the institution’s name to commit misdeeds, taking advantage of the needs of those affected” [Translated from Spanish]
How the Fraudulent Donation Requests Work
According to the TE’s communiqué, the scammers operate via private telephone numbers rather than official channels. Their approach combines urgency with apparent legitimacy, referencing the earthquake disaster to pressure targets into immediate contributions. The requests focus on in-kind donations like fuel plus direct cash transfers, which are harder to trace than goods routed through registered charities.
The institution has not disclosed how many people received these calls or whether any victims lost money. Authorities have also not announced arrests
to the scheme. The TE’s warning serves as both a public notice and a legal safeguard against further misuse of its name.
Official Warning and Public Guidance
The Electoral Tribunal urged citizens to verify any donation request claiming institutional affiliation before providing money or resources. Legitimate government relief efforts operate through publicly announced channels with documented procedures, officials said. The agency emphasized that no employee or authorized representative is making personal calls to collect fuel or cash for earthquake victims.
This incident highlights a broader pattern of fraud following natural disasters in Panama, where criminals exploit public sympathy and institutional trust. The TE’s rapid public response aims to prevent further deception while genuine aid continues reaching affected communities in Azuero and the central provinces.