MoSD warns against illegal fundraising after detecting 67 cases

2026-03-09 - 18:08

Muscat – The Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) has revealed that it detected 67 cases of unauthorised public fundraising across several governorates during the past year, involving a total amount of approximately RO30,000. According to the ministry, Muscat governorate recorded the highest number of violations with around 20 cases. MoSD stressed that it is responsible for regulating public fundraising in accordance with the Public Fundraising Licences Regulation issued under Ministerial Decision No 336/2024, which clearly defines the rules governing charity campaigns and prohibits unauthorised collection of funds from the public. The ministry emphasised that compliance with these regulations is essential to protect donors’ funds and ensure that charitable contributions reach legitimate beneficiaries. It warned that unlicensed campaigns pose risks of fraud and misuse of donations, urging the public to verify the credibility of any fundraising initiative before making contributions. Officials highlighted that donations represent an ethical and social responsibility, stressing that every contribution is a trust that must be handled with the highest levels of transparency and integrity. The ministry advised donors to ensure that any campaign is officially licensed by MoSD, clearly states its purpose and duration, and is carried out through recognised channels. MoSD also underscored the importance of the Jood charity platform, the country’s official online platform for charitable giving. The platform currently includes 64 volunteer teams, 31 charitable associations and five endowment institutions, enabling donations to be collected and distributed in an organised and transparent manner. The platform provides secure digital payment channels, allows donors to track relief campaigns launched by licensed organisations, and helps prevent duplication of assistance by ensuring funds reach eligible beneficiaries accurately. According to the ministry, the platform since its launch in October 2023 has attracted more than 344,000 donors, with total contributions exceeding RO4mn, reinforcing public confidence in regulated and transparent charitable work in the sultanate.