Cali authorities warn of alleged scam using WhatsApp line linked to Animal Welfare Center

Cali authorities have referred to Colombia’s Fiscalía an alleged scam involving requests for money through a WhatsApp line associated with the city’s Animal Welfare Center.

The Special Administrative Unit for Animal Protection, known as UAEPA, said it activated its protocols after learning of the case. It conducted a verification process with the Transparency Office of the District Government Secretariat.

As an administrative measure, UAEPA ended the contract of a person linked to the reported events before its scheduled completion. The Fiscalía will determine what happened and whether criminal responsibility exists.

UAEPA Director Carmen Elena Domínguez said the unit acted immediately and transparently after learning of the allegations. She said the agency would continue cooperating with investigators and acknowledged that such incidents could damage public trust.

The agency stressed that it does not request money, transfers or payments through phone calls, WhatsApp or any other official service channel. No official, contractor or private individual has authorization to solicit money on its behalf.

UAEPA said it will strengthen security and oversight of the Animal Welfare Center’s phone lines and other institutional channels. Residents who receive suspicious requests should not pay or transfer money and should preserve WhatsApp conversations, phone numbers, payment receipts, audio, images and other evidence for the authorities.

“

From the moment we learned of this situation, we acted immediately and transparently.