WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT Scammers are swindling British animal lovers out of thousands by posting pitiful pictures of dogs from fake shelters to beg for cash

Hundreds of social media accounts on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube – claiming to be fundraisers from pet shelters – are being operated from Mityana, a town in central Uganda. Open-source intelligence techniques (OSINT) were used to examine fundraiser for pet shelters in Uganda. They raised more than £540,000 in five years, according to BBC data, after appealing for financial help on the donation platform GoFundMe. A lot of these operations could have been involved in scamming, the BBC revealed.

Now a BBC Africa Eye investigation from the BBC World Service, which has been shared with The Mirror, has exposed their lies. An undercover reporter said: “Last year, we received a tip off about the large-scale scam. “Grassroot organisations in Uganda and Europe told of their worry about what was happening to dogs in Mityana and to donors around the world. The volume of videos was overwhelming – so many accounts, often changing their names – and so many dogs.”

One 15-second TikTok video posted in January, showed an injured dog lying on the side of the road, saying it “got into an accident” and asking viewers “to save his life” by sending donations via an online link. Named Russet by a donor, thousands of pounds were raised before, three weeks after the post, a UK donor secured his release and he was taken to a veterinary clinic in Kampala.

The vet, Dr Isa Lutebemberwa, said his injuries were unlikely to have been accidental and, despite his best efforts, Russet died. Dr Lutebemberwa said: “He endured a lot of pain and suffering.” The undercover reporter continued: “Russet appeared to have been passed around different content creator groups for three weeks, while having severe injuries to his hind legs. Russet and his pain appeared to have been used as props for generating content, and possibly revenue.”

Animal lover Lianne Stone, a 38-year-old carer from Manchester, was scammed out of her savings, which she donated to help dogs like Russet. She said: “The videos are heartbreaking, painfully thin dogs, some injured, some in pain. It’s hard to scroll past them without thinking, ‘I should help them’.” Of the scammers, she continued: “They fooled me. Over six months I gave them more than £1,300 – over half of my savings. I sent money by PayPal and Western Union. I thought I was making a difference to these poor dogs.”

Investigators reviewed hundreds of online pages raising money for pet shelters in Uganda. Almost 40% of them were linked to shelters in Mityana. The donation money was being used to buy phones, on pool parties and cars, according to the BBC. Bart Kakooza, chairman of the Uganda Society for the Protection and Care of Animals, said: “These young men [the scammers] realised they can make money if they get a dog.”

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Typical videos show dogs living in makeshift shelters. Viewers are told “they are hungry” asked “please help us”. Lianne stumbled on videos of hungry dogs while scrolling on Instagram in January 2025. She said: “I’ve got a chihuahua called Rowley. It was clear to anyone who came across my page that I loved dogs. These videos started appearing on my feed – starving six week old puppies in Uganda, desperately trying to eat bones. I commented underneath, ‘Why are they so hungry?’ and started getting messages back asking for money to help feed them.”

Scammers assured Lianne, who is single, that they would rescue the dogs, but needed funds to care for them. She said: “I transferred my first £70. The person on the other end promised to use it to feed the dogs in the video. I felt better knowing that I’d helped them.” Her friends donated, too.

The BBC’s undercover reporter went to one shelter run by Charles Lubajja, where about 15 dogs were kept in the same cage, lying in their own waste. Many appeared severely underweight and lethargic. Lubajja said the shelter primarily exists to make money from social media viewers abroad. He gave advice on how to increase revenues, sharing tricks including how to film fake veterinary treatments.

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He was secretly filmed telling the reporter: “Once you receive the GoFundMe money, you use it to buy a car or build a house.” He told the reporter to “squeeze” and “drain” donors – also confessing that content creators have “cut the dogs” to make them appear more battered. This all tallies with Lianne’s experience. She explains: “I got loads of messages asking me to donate via Paypal, which I did. I’d pay £5 here for a taxi for them to take the dog to the vets, another £10 for cartons of milk, £25 for big bags of dog food. I’d throw in £15 for the men to get themselves some dinner.”

Lianne, who had little disposable income, added: “I had about £2,000 in my savings account and gave away £1,300 of it – probably more.” She first suspected wrongdoing when she asked for a personal video of the dogs eating. She said: “They sent me a clip of a group of older dogs – not the puppies I’d wanted to help. Something wasn’t quite right.”

Last July, the penny dropped. She said “Despite my donations, the dogs just weren’t getting better. When the videos came, I could see the dogs were hurting. The dogs cowered like they’re going to get hit. I suddenly thought, ‘that dog is scared of that man’. Something isn’t right.”

Realising she’d been scammed, she continued: “My stomach dropped. I was devastated.” The “business” is so organised that some shelter owners allow multiple content creators to film with the animals for a fee. In turn, they run their own fundraising drives, using the video footage of dogs.

Last August, following the scam, Lianne deleted Instagram. She says: “I came off social media, It had affected my mental health.” Mityana Police said they have investigated animal cruelty at dog shelters in the area, rescuing injured dogs and making arrests. One case was closed with a warning.

Lianne said: “I’ll never get the money back that I’ve lost and the dogs are still in danger. The more successful the scam gets, the more animals these people will harm. It’s disgusting.” Dr Isa says fundraising platforms must carry out more due diligence, adding: “On the government side, there needs to be better shelter regulation.”

The Mirror contacted TikTok. And, according to TikTok, per their Community Guidelines, they don’t allow content that shows or promotes animal abuse, cruelty, neglect, or exploitation. Nor do they allow content that promotes scams, fraud, or deceptive schemes.

They said between October and December 2025, 97.7% of content they proactively removed for breaching their fraud and scam policies was taken down before being reported. They also proactively removed 99.4% of content that breached their animal abuse policies. We also contacted GoFundMe, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram for comment.

Meanwhile, a Go Fund Me spokesperson said: “Our Trust & Safety team works around the clock to make sure people can give safely on GoFundMe and misuse is rare. We have banned several accounts linked to this activity and would encourage anyone with concerns to report it to us. We remain the only major platform with a Giving Guarantee allowing donors to give in confidence.”

BBC Africa Eye’s TV Documentary Save our Dogs: Inside Uganda’s Rescue Scam can be seen on BBC iPlayer. The World Service radio documentary For the love of Dogs is available on BBC Sounds.

Westmeath and Cavan are set to face off in Round 1 of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship on Saturday evening – but what time does the game start and how can you watch it on GAA+? Here’s everything you need to know

This weekend sees Westmeath take on Cavan in Round 1 of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.

Westmeath arrive full of confidence following their extraordinary Leinster championship campaign, during which Mark McHugh’s squad caused a major upset against Meath before going on to defeat Dublin in the provincial decider.

Cavan, on the other hand, are aiming to regroup following their departure from the Ulster championship and will view this fixture as a significant chance to make their mark in the All-Ireland series.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match:

Where is the game taking place?, reports the Irish Mirror

TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar.

What time does it start?

Throw-in is scheduled for 5pm on Saturday, 30 May.

Is it on television?

The fixture will be available to stream live on GAA+ but has not been picked up for free-to-air broadcast.

Betting odds

Westmeath enter the contest as favourites according to the bookmakers:

Westmeath – 4/9

Draw – 8/1

Cavan – 9/4

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Willie Collum has backed the VAR decision to award Celtic a penalty in the dying moments of their Scottish Premiership clash with Motherwell

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Willie Collum has defended both Andrew Dallas and John Beaton following the contentious penalty awarded to Celtic during their match at Fir Park.

The decision to penalise Sam Nicholson for handball ignited widespread debate after the spot kick, converted in the 96th minute, preserved the Hoops’ title aspirations heading into the final day of the campaign, where they defeated Hearts to secure a fifth consecutive Premiership title.

The VAR audio recording has now been made public, revealing Dallas’ insistence that the ball clearly made contact with Nicholson’s hand, which he confirmed to Beaton when the referee sought verification.

Despite supporters questioning how either match official could be certain, head of referees Collum maintains that both had conclusive proof of the handball offence.

“For us there’s clear evidence, particularly the still image,” he told the Sky Sports VAR Review Show. “In our opinion this is clear.”, reports the Daily Record.

“When you strip it back, 95th minute of the match, VAR goes through a clear process. They’re clear it’s a handball.

“When the referee comes over, he agrees. So we fully support the decision.

“The key for me is Nicholson’s hand and arm are already in an unnatural position. It moves further into an unnatural position. The player takes a huge risk when he jumps with his hand in that position.

“It’s not a foul on the Motherwell player. We’ve been consistent with handballs. Falkirk against Hibs, Connor Barron against Falkirk. We believe we’ve been consistent in our approach.

“We felt he wasn’t trying to get his arm out of the position. We didn’t feel he was trying to protect his face, it wasn’t a shot coming at him from a close distance.

“We need to be careful talking about an advantage being gained. It wasn’t a case of trying to avoid contact, or trying to protect his face.Another small point.

“People say ‘support the on-field decision?’ There wasn’t an on-field decision, it was completely missed. We had a decision at the end of an Old Firm where no-one appealed for a handball but it was checked. We have to be thorough.”

When questioned about whether Beaton ought to have consulted Dallas regarding the handball call, Collum responded: “When you bring a ref to the monitor, you’ve already come to the conclusion that it’s hit the hand.

“The ref’s focus has to be to check the position of the arm. He just quickly confirms ‘has it hit the arm?’ You wouldn’t bring him over if it hadn’t.

“There’s three key people here. The VAR, the AVAR and the referee. They see this as a clear error and a punishable handball. It’s crucial they identify that.”

Regarding the penalty Hearts were denied at Fir Park days before, involving Tawanda Mashwanise’s challenge on Alexandros Kyzirids, Collum believed Steven McLean ought to have awarded a spot kick. “The VAR team feel it’s a penalty so they bring the referee over,” he said. “There’s been a bit of a debate about whether this is a clear error. But once the referee comes to the monitor, they expected the penalty to be awarded.

“My personal opinion is that’s a penalty. There’s some debate within refereeing and we’ll discuss it in pre-season. But I feel it should be awarded.

“The VAR process is going to the final degree. The referee has been brought over then VAR shows the angles they’ve based their judgement on.

“They’re the only two angles available. Whether the angles are sufficient, that’s another debate. But can you imagine the criticism if VAR tried to convince the referee?

“Perhaps that contributes to the doubt in the referee’s mind. We’ll need to have discussion with referees and clubs. But in my opinion, the expected outcome is a penalty kick.”

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This embellished M&S co-ord genuinely looks far more premium than I expected. A matching cami top and embellished trouser set perfectly capture that confident, glamorous summer energy the collection is all about.

The cami top is the real hero piece for me. The all-over beaded embroidery catches the light beautifully and gives the top a luxe eveningwear finish that looks much more expensive than it is.

I am no fashion model, but I felt comfortable in this M&S co-ord – and my dogs were big fans (Image: Jade Wright)

I also love the elegant scoop neckline, which keeps the silhouette soft, flattering and easy to wear. The regular fit means it drapes beautifully without feeling restrictive, making it comfortable enough for summer parties or holiday evenings.

As part of the wider M&S Summer of Love That campaign – which celebrates confidence, compliments and feel-good summer fashion – this embellished set perfectly delivers that “main character” energy Amelia Dimoldenberg brings to the Casa del Compliments collection.

What I particularly love is how wearable the outfit feels despite the statement embellishment.

M&S Embellished cami, £30, and balloon trousers £46 (Image: M&S)

Sometimes heavily embellished pieces can feel overdone, but this set still manages to feel modern, effortless and very on trend.

The rich brown shade also feels incredibly current for 2026 and offers a softer alternative to classic black.

It’s available here, but be quick as the hot weather has seen stocks flying out this week.

M&S Embellished balloon trousers £46 (Image: M&S)

The matching embellished trousers completely pull the look together. The flowing wide-leg shape gives the outfit movement and elegance – it’s better when it moves than in the picture.

They’re pretty see-through but the built-in shorts make sure there’s no wardrobe malfunctions.

The elasticated waistband adds comfort without compromising the silhouette, and the gathered detailing creates a beautiful drape through the fabric that moves effortlessly when walking.

Together, the pieces create a standout co-ord that needs very little styling. I paired mine with my usual jewellery and flat sandals, or heels, and the embellishment did all the work. I also love that the trousers can easily be styled separately with a simple satin camisole or blazer, making them feel even more versatile.

The soft viscose fabric also makes the outfit surprisingly lightweight and comfortable to wear for long periods, which is something I always look for in occasionwear. It feels glamorous without feeling heavy or uncomfortable.

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It’s stylish, flattering and has that instantly uplifting effect where you genuinely feel more confident the second you put it on.

If you’re looking for affordable high street occasionwear that looks elegant, expensive and fashion-forward without designer pricing, this M&S embellished co-ord is easily one of the standout pieces from the Summer of Love That collection.

The Met Office has warned of possible thundery showers today

There is a chance of some thundery showers in Northern Ireland on Saturday as the dry and sunny weather ends this weekend.

The Met Office has said that May 30 could see thundery showers alongside outbreaks of heavy rain in the afternoon and evening. This follows a week of sunny weather with rain forecast throughout the week ahead.

It said in its Saturday forecast: “Some early brightness in southeast, but generally a cloudy morning with outbreaks of occasionally heavy rain. During the afternoon the rain turns more showery and perhaps thundery.

“Showery rain will push northeast through the evening, occasionally heavy and perhaps thundery at times. Clear spells and scattered showers overnight.”

Sunday is forecast to see a combination of sunny spells and rain throughout the morning which will become drier in the afternoon, with temperatures reaching 18 degrees. However rain is due to return later in the evening.

The Met Office has also forecast cloudy and rainy weather on Monday, June 1 and Tuesday, June 2, to start the week.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

A main road was shut late on Friday evening following a collision

Police are appealing for information after a serious late-night crash in Porthcawl. The collision happened shortly before midnight on Friday on Pyle Road north of the town.

Police say two drivers were involved, but have not disclosed any further information. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: “We are investigating a serious road traffic collision that happened at around 11:48pm last night, Thursday May 29, on Pyle Road, Nottage, Porthcawl.

“The incident involved the drivers of two cars – a black Ford Mondeo and a blue Vauxhall Corsa.

“If you saw anything at the time or were in the area and may have dash cam footage, we’d really like to hear from you – even the smallest detail could make a difference. Please contact us online or by calling 101, quoting reference 2600168610.”

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BANGKOK (AP) — Rescue workers in Laos said Saturday they have safely evacuated four villagers trapped in a flooded cave for 10 days, the day after another one was successfully extracted. Two men remain missing.

Lao and Thai rescue groups posted about the successful operation on social media, along with photos of the men lying on stretchers, wearing oxygen masks and being wrapped in foil blankets.

The villagers had reportedly entered the cave last week to look for valuable minerals before being trapped by flash flooding that blocked their way out. One other villager escaped in time and alerted the authorities to the seven left behind.

Lao organization Rescue Volunteer for People said on its Facebook page that the water level inside the cave receded low enough for them to leave with divers who had gone in to deliver food and water. They said they will continue their search for the two who remain missing.

The first man was safely evacuated on Friday. According to rescuers, that operation took about 30 minutes. Videos showed the moment he emerged from the water alongside a diver, catching his breath before struggling to crawl through a narrow, flooded passage and rising unsteadily to his feet. As rescuers helped him away from the tunnel, one could be heard warning others to be careful because his hands were injured. He was then wrapped in a foil blanket and helped into a seated position.

Another video showed the man getting out from the cave’s entrance with a lamp strapped to his forehead. He was walking unsteadily with the assistance of two men, who handed him over to other team members amid a waiting crowd.

The villagers had reportedly entered the cave last week to look for valuable minerals before being trapped by flash flooding that blocked their way out. One other villager escaped in time and alerted the authorities to the seven left behind.

Five of them were found alive Wednesday. They were identified by their first names as Khamla, Mued, Ee, Ing and Laen.

The men had been supplied with water, soft food and foil blankets to keep them warm, although videos shot inside the cave suggested that their conditions continued to deteriorate.

Rescue teams from Laos and neighboring Thailand were joined by Japanese and Malaysian colleagues. Indonesian, French and Australian specialists also reportedly arrived at the site in a rugged area in the central province of Xaisomboun, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the capital, Vientiane.

Several of them had taken part in the complicated 2018 cave rescue in northern Thailand of 12 schoolboys and their soccer coach.

More risky tasks await rescuers

In a video shot Friday, just about an hour before the evacuation of the first man began, Thai rescuer Kengkaj Bongkawong of the Metta Tham Rescue Kalasin detailed the challenge they are facing in the operation.

The team has set up a station in a large chamber inside the cave, accessible only by navigating more than 200 meters (yards) of twisting, narrow, flooded passages with jagged walls. From there, divers need to dive through a flooded tunnel about 30 meters (yards) before reaching the trapped men.

“To dive in a cave, there are issues with the temperature, narrow areas, control of movement, and managing the panic of the survivor, which will be difficult, but we have to do it,” Kengkaj said.

There is a significant risk for the team of guiding the survivors without diving skills through zero-visibility water.

A video showed Thai diver Norrased Palasing and Finnish diver Mikko Paasi teaching the men how to use diving gear, including breathing techniques underwater.

“All the way, breathe through your mouth only. Do not ever breathe with your nose, do you understand?” Norrased said during the session.

Rescuers are also preparing to search for the two villagers who remain missing.

Kengkaj said the team plans to explore an area deeper inside the cave, about 20 to 25 meters (yards) beyond where the survivors were found. However, he cautioned that the section is heavily flooded.

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Alderwoman Grekos said: “Fleet Street is one of London’s most iconic and historic streets, and this project gives us a unique opportunity to reimagine it for the future. The design options we are bringing forward reflect valuable input from local businesses, residents and stakeholders, and demonstrate our ambition to create a greener, safer and more welcoming environment for everyone who uses this important route.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top U.S. commander in Latin America met with Cuban military leaders Friday in a “brief exchange on operational security matters” near the U.S. Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, the latest official to visit the island nation as President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on its leaders.

Trump has warned that Cuba “is next” after U.S. military forces captured Venezuela’s autocratic leader, Nicolás Maduro, in a January raid. In the months since, the Trump administration has imposed an oil blockade on Cuba, maintained warships in the Caribbean Sea and indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro on federal charges.

Gen. Francis Donovan, head of U.S. Southern Command, met with Lt. Gen. Roberto Legrá Sotolongo and other Cuban military officials.

Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces said in a statement that both sides viewed “the meeting positively because it addressed security issues along the perimeter separating the military enclave, and they agreed to maintain communication between the two military commands.”

Top Trump aides, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA chief John Ratcliffe, also have met with Cuban officials to explore possible improvements in relations. But the U.S. side has come away unimpressed from those talks, leading to even more sanctions imposed on the Cuban government.

Besides the meeting, Donovan also assessed the security of the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay and discussed the “safety of service members and their families, and operational readiness with base officials,” U.S. Southern Command said in a post on X.

The U.S. maintains the base despite decades of friction with Cuba’s socialist leaders, whom Trump wants removed from power.

The U.S. military has a handful of Navy ships, including at least one amphibious assault ship, in the Caribbean, a much smaller force than was present at the time of the Maduro raid.

On Friday, the Pentagon announced that a new unit of 1,300 sailors and Marines would be replacing the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which deployed to the region last summer.

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Associated Press writer Andrea Rodríguez in Havana contributed to this report.