In a heart-wrenching tale of deceit that has left football fans reeling, a devastated donor has broken his silence after falling victim to a cruel scam posing as a charitable foundation in memory of the late Liverpool star Diogo Jota. The website, diogojotafoundation.org, which appeared just days after the Portuguese striker’s tragic death in July 2025, has vanished without a trace, taking with it nearly £50,000 in cryptocurrency donations. One anonymous donor, a lifelong Liverpool supporter who handed over £5,000 in Bitcoin, speaks exclusively to the Daily Mail: “I was scammed!! I thought I was honouring a hero, but these crooks exploited our grief. It’s vile—pure evil!”

This scandal has rocked the football world, with Liverpool FC, Jota’s family, and major charities like UNICEF publicly disavowing any connection to the so-called Diogo Jota Foundation. As investigations unfold, this exclusive report delves into the shocking details of the alleged fraud, the warning signs that went unnoticed, and the emotional toll on those who believed they were supporting a worthy cause. In an age where online scams prey on the vulnerable, this is a chilling wake-up call for every Brit tempted to click ‘donate’.

The Tragic Loss of a Football Icon

Diogo Jota was a name synonymous with passion, skill, and heart. At 28, the Liverpool forward was a cornerstone of the Reds’ success, having joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 for £41 million. His blistering pace, clinical finishing, and relentless work rate made him a fan favourite, helping Liverpool clinch the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup. Off the pitch, Jota was a devoted family man, a gaming enthusiast who founded an eSports team, and a quiet supporter of youth programs in his native Portugal. His smile lit up Anfield, and his humility endeared him to millions.

But on a fateful day in July 2025, tragedy struck. Jota was killed in a catastrophic car crash near his holiday home in Porto, Portugal. The news sent shockwaves through the football community. Teammates like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk paid emotional tributes, calling him a brother and a warrior. Fans flooded social media with memories, setting up makeshift memorials outside Anfield and launching fundraisers to honour his legacy. Liverpool FC announced plans for a genuine initiative through their LFC Foundation, including a “Forever 20” T-shirt campaign to support youth football programs.

It was against this backdrop of collective mourning that the fraudulent Diogo Jota Foundation emerged. Launched on July 10, 2025—mere days after Jota’s death—the website promised to carry forward his legacy by supporting underprivileged youth through scholarships, football camps, and community partnerships. It boasted impressive figures: 25,000 meals distributed, 300 children sponsored, and 50 local collaborations. To lend an air of legitimacy, it displayed logos from Liverpool FC, UNICEF, Allianz, and the Portuguese NGDO Platform—none of which, it later emerged, had any involvement.

A Convincing Facade That Fooled Thousands

At first glance, the Diogo Jota Foundation website was a masterclass in deception. Its homepage featured heartfelt tributes to Jota, complete with high-resolution images of him celebrating goals and embracing teammates. A moving mission statement spoke of “celebrating Diogo’s journey from a small youth academy in Gondomar to the pinnacle of world football.” Visitors were urged to donate via cryptocurrency—Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others—through a third-party platform called NOWPayments, which the site claimed was a “modern, efficient way to fund our work.” In hindsight, experts say this was a glaring red flag, as crypto’s anonymity makes it a favourite tool for fraudsters.

The site’s emotional pull was irresistible in the wake of Jota’s death. Social media amplified its reach, with posts urging fans to “keep Diogo’s spirit alive” going viral. By mid-August, the foundation claimed to have raised £47,715—equivalent to $64,250—though some suspect the true figure could be higher, given the untraceable nature of cryptocurrency. For many, donating felt like a way to connect with Jota’s memory, to channel grief into something meaningful.

Among those swept up in the wave was Mark Thompson (a pseudonym to protect his identity), a 45-year-old Liverpool season ticket holder from Manchester. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, Mark shares his gut-wrenching story. “I was devastated when Diogo died—he was my hero, always giving everything for the badge. My two boys, 10 and 12, worshipped him. We’d watch every match, cheering his every goal. When I saw the foundation on Twitter, I thought, ‘This is it, a way to give back.’ I donated £5,000 in Bitcoin because they said it would go to kids in Portugal, like Diogo’s hometown. They even sent a thank-you email with a personalized certificate. I felt proud—until it all unravelled.”

Mark’s story is one of many. A father who coaches his sons’ local football team, he saw the donation as a tribute to Jota’s legacy. “My lads were heartbroken. Donating felt like keeping a piece of Diogo alive for them.” But when the website disappeared on August 22, 2025, Mark’s faith was shattered. “I tried logging in—nothing. The site was gone, just an error page. My emails bounced back. That’s when it hit me: I’d been scammed. These monsters preyed on our love for Diogo. It’s sickening.”

The Collapse of a Cruel Ruse

The scam began to unravel as suspicious fans raised alarms. Why were donations crypto-only? Where was the registered charity number, mandatory for UK organizations collecting over £5,000? On August 21, Liverpool FC issued a blunt statement: “We have no connection to the Diogo Jota Foundation. Please support only our official LFC Foundation initiatives.” Jota’s family echoed this, releasing a statement through Portuguese media: “This foundation is not linked to us. We are heartbroken that Diogo’s name is being exploited.” Major organizations like UNICEF, Allianz, and the Portuguese NGDO Platform followed, confirming their logos were used without permission—a clear sign of fraud.

The UK Charity Commission, responsible for regulating charities, confirmed no such foundation was registered. NOWPayments, the crypto processor, stated it had severed ties upon discovering the scam, claiming no transactions were processed through their platform. By August 22, diogojotafoundation.org was offline, redirecting to a blank page or error message. Social media exploded with outrage, with fans sharing stories of betrayal. One post captured the mood: “Scammers everywhere! They stole £50k in Diogo’s name. Shame on them!”

Cybersecurity expert Dr. Elena Voss told the Daily Mail: “This is a textbook crypto scam—fast setup, emotional manipulation, and untraceable payments. The site was likely operated from overseas, possibly Nigeria or India, where such schemes are rampant. The use of fake logos and stats is a common tactic to build trust.” She warned readers: “Never donate via crypto unless you’ve verified the organization. Check for a charity registration number and stick to trusted platforms.”

The Human Cost: Fury and Heartbreak

For donors like Mark, the betrayal cuts deep. “It’s not just the £5,000—though that’s money I saved for years,” he says, his voice thick with emotion. “It’s the violation. Diogo was a hero to my family. These fraudsters took advantage of our grief, our love for him. It’s pure evil.” Mark, who reported the scam to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud reporting centre, holds little hope of recovering his money. “Crypto’s gone the second it’s sent. Those wallets are anonymous, the funds laundered in minutes.”

Others share his pain. On online forums, dozens of donors have recounted similar stories. Sarah, a 38-year-old teacher from London who donated £1,000, said: “I gave because Diogo inspired my son to play football. Now I feel like a fool. These scammers didn’t just steal money—they stole our trust.” Another donor, a 25-year-old from Liverpool, wrote: “I gave £500 from my savings. I thought it was for kids like Diogo. How could they do this?”

The emotional toll is compounded by the insult to Jota’s memory. His family, already grieving, now faces the added anguish of seeing his name exploited. Liverpool fans, known for their fierce loyalty, have rallied, urging others to support legitimate causes like the LFC Foundation’s youth programs. One fan summed it up: “Diogo deserved better than this. Let’s honour him the right way.”

A Growing Threat in a Digital Age

This scam is part of a disturbing trend. Charity frauds have surged in 2025, with cybercriminals exploiting tragedies—celebrity deaths, natural disasters, even global crises—to fleece well-meaning donors. The Charity Commission advises: “Always check our register before giving. If it’s not listed, don’t donate.” Liverpool’s official initiatives, like the “Forever 20” campaign, offer a safe way to honour Jota’s legacy, funding grassroots football for disadvantaged youth.

For Mark, the lesson is painful but clear. “I’ll never donate online again without checking everything—charity number, official links, the lot. But I won’t stop giving. Diogo taught us to keep fighting, to lift others up.” He plans to volunteer with his sons at a local football charity, turning his anger into action.

A Call to Action Amid the Ashes

As authorities investigate, the chances of catching the culprits remain slim. Cryptocurrency’s anonymity and the scam’s likely offshore origins make justice elusive. Yet the football community’s spirit endures. Liverpool fans have launched campaigns to support verified charities, ensuring Jota’s legacy shines through the darkness. The LFC Foundation reports a surge in donations, a silver lining in this sordid tale.

This scandal is a stark warning: In a digital world, even the noblest intentions can be twisted. If you’ve been affected, contact Action Fraud immediately. And let’s remember Diogo Jota not for the fraudsters who exploited his name, but for the joy, passion, and inspiration he brought to the beautiful game. For every scammer, there are thousands of fans ready to honour a hero the right way—with heart, not hype.