How can donors check whether a Gaza fundraiser is legitimate before giving?

A reported indictment says donors believed they were giving humanitarian help for Gaza, while prosecutors accused Saleem Alzaq of moving about $1.7 million to Hamas. That makes verification especially important before donating.
What donors can check first
The provided source does not give an official donor checklist. Based on what is confirmed, the practical lesson is to pause before giving through social media messages alone.
Before donating, a cautious donor can check whether the fundraiser clearly identifies:
- who is collecting the money
- who controls the account receiving funds
- what organization, if any, is behind the appeal
- how the money is supposed to reach people in Gaza
- whether the fundraiser provides verifiable records outside a private message thread
Why social media appeals need extra caution
The report says two Louisiana brothers, Abdel Adhami and Omar Adhami, were arrested in connection with the alleged scheme. It says they used social media messaging to ask for donations for poor people and orphans in Gaza.
That does not mean every social media fundraiser is illegitimate. It does mean donors should be careful when the only proof is a message, a personal appeal, or a claim that money will help vulnerable people.
What is confirmed in this case
The indictment cited in the report accuses Saleem Alzaq of moving about $1.7 million to Hamas. Alzaq was reported to be in Gaza when the indictment was issued and was charged with money laundering and sanctions violations.
Because the case may develop, check the latest official filings or statements before treating any detail as final.
What should someone do if they donated to the fundraiser described in the indictment?

If you donated to the fundraiser described in the indictment, the first step is to separate what is confirmed from what is not. The provided report says donors thought they were supporting humanitarian help for Gaza, while the indictment alleges money was moved to Hamas.
What is confirmed
The source says a federal indictment accused Saleem Alzaq of moving about $1.7 million to Hamas.
It also says Abdel Adhami and Omar Adhami, two brothers from Louisiana, were arrested in connection with the alleged scheme. The report describes social media messaging that sought donations for poor people and orphans in Gaza.
Practical steps donors can take
The provided context does not include an official process for affected donors. It does support a few careful next steps:
- Save your donation records, including receipts, payment confirmations, messages, usernames, and dates.
- Do not delete social media conversations connected to the fundraiser.
- Check for official updates tied to the case before assuming whether your donation was part of the alleged scheme.
- If you need advice about your own situation, use an appropriate official or legal channel rather than relying only on social media posts.
What not to assume
The report describes allegations in an indictment. It does not confirm that every donor knew where funds were allegedly going, and it does not give a complete list of donors or transactions.
Because criminal cases can change as more filings become public, use the source as a starting point and look for current official case information if you were directly involved.
What charges were listed against Saleem Alzaq in the fundraiser case?

Saleem Alzaq was charged with money laundering and sanctions violations, according to the report’s description of the federal indictment.
The listed charges
The available context identifies two charges against Alzaq:
| Person | Charges listed in the context |
|---|---|
| Saleem Alzaq | Money laundering and sanctions violations |
The report also says the indictment accused him of moving about $1.7 million to Hamas.
Where Alzaq was reported to be
The source says Alzaq was in Gaza when the indictment was issued. The context does not provide additional detail about his court status, legal response, or whether he had appeared in court.
How the fundraiser allegation fits in
The indictment described in the report says international donors believed they were giving humanitarian support for Gaza. Two Louisiana brothers, Abdel Adhami and Omar Adhami, were arrested in connection with the alleged scheme.
Since these are reported charges tied to an indictment, later court filings may add or clarify details.
How were donations allegedly solicited in the Gaza fundraiser case?

The report says donations were allegedly solicited through social media messaging, with appeals framed around helping poor people and orphans in Gaza.
The direct answer
According to the available context, Abdel Adhami and Omar Adhami allegedly used social media messages to seek donations. The appeals were described as requests for help for poor people and orphans in Gaza.
The report says donors believed they were contributing humanitarian aid.
Who was connected to the alleged scheme
The source says the two Louisiana brothers were arrested in connection with the alleged scheme. It also says Saleem Alzaq was accused in a federal indictment of moving about $1.7 million to Hamas.
Alzaq was reported to be in Gaza when the indictment was issued and was charged with money laundering and sanctions violations.
What readers should take from this
The key practical point is that a humanitarian-sounding message is not the same as verified donation handling. The provided context does not include screenshots, platform names, or exact wording of the messages, so those details should not be assumed.
For newer developments, check updated reporting or official case information tied to the indictment.
Sources / Learn more
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