Now and then someone on Bluesky with a username containing “I’m begging you” tries to contact me. Sometimes it’s a new follower, sometimes a “like” on my post. They’re obvious attempts to con people into giving them money. Recently I looked a little closer and saw how persistent this scammer is. I think it’s all coming from one person or organization.

The posts I’ve checked all contain the same text except for the user ID:

I’M BEGGING YOU — MY CHILD CAN’T WAIT… 💔🙏
@[account].bsky.social
· 6h
HOW CAN I KEEP MY FAMILY SAFE WHEN I CAN’T KEEP US ALIVE?

I’m a Father in Gaza. How do I tell my family not to be afraid when there is nowhere safe to go? 😭

How long can we survive this alone? 💔
How much longer can I watch them suffer?

PLEASE DONATE NOW 🙏

A link to a GoFundMe campaign follows.

Update Oct. 30, 2026: Most of these accounts are now gone, though I’m still seeing two. Bluesky must have caught up last night, but they keep coming.

One account making this kind of plea might be legitimate, though you should be cautious about any request for money from a stranger. A mass-production operation with so many accounts is a clear sign of fakery. Another red flag is that they follow many accounts but have few followers.

I block and report these accounts when they contact me. I’m surprised Bluesky hasn’t set up an automated process to kill these accounts as they appear. They’re so cookie-cutter similar, it should be easy.

Wanting to help people hurt by wars is a good thing, but don’t be a sucker. The best way is to donate to a reputable charity.