To think DP is being used by so called "friend"

OP, any photo of someone in hospital can be used to say they have cancer when they don't.
You see celebs on a hospital bed after fainting and getting a B12 drip.
To the untrained eye, it can look like something serious when it's not.

Does the wife know her pic is being used this way?

It all screams money laundering or at best, benefit fraud.

Your partner could say when he went to withdraw the money, they've asked for proof of what it's for. ID's, national insurance number equivalent, doc letter etc.
If the friend refuses and maintains it can't be traceable, then your DH can let it sit in his account/send it back to Go fund me.

Could be ego at play as backtracking will be admitting he's been foolish.

Happens to the best of them but best quit before he has a criminal record or worse.

I totally agree - it’s how you get the money to him that is the part that could get you into problems unless you bank transfer it. As your DP will look like recipient.

So if said woman is randomly investigated or someone grasses her up for having 10k raised in a go fund me page as they’ve seen it all over social media etc, where is she going to say the cash went?

it seems she’s not an anon recipient so why be non traceable?

If they are commiting benefit fraud and he is helping them he is doing something illegal. He sounds very naive.

It sounds like a scam to me. I can't think of a valid reason why it should be untraceable or why he needs to physically take it in cash

Also it does make me laugh when these so called 'anarchists' who don't believe in the 'system' often have to eat humble pie when they need it most. All the doctors, nurses, scientists treating his wife are also part of this vague 'system' they're so against.

Doubt they'll see it that way though.

I think your DH sounds lovely, if a little naive of course. The untraceable thing is so weird.

@MyLimeGuide I'd say that's a bit of sweeping generalisation. But this particular situation definitely screams dodgy!

I'm not commenting on the legalities around the GFM. I've no idea how that works.
However, on carrying the money in or out of Germany, I have a family member who lives there and wanted to gift my siblings and I an amount. It was €10k and I carried it in 1 and 200 € notes in my purse. I also had a few 100 of my own money in my purse so in all it was over the allowable amount.
No one batted an eyelid.
My bag was searched due to having a mascara in there that had accidently not been put into the plastic bag. They did not look in my purse and no questions were asked about the money.

I can see your husband’s POV, just because they are in a country with welfare doesn’t mean the welfare is enough - they might genuinely need the money.

The issue is the untraceable bit. That’s what makes the whole set up dodgy.

At that point it's down to the donor/contributor to decide whether they believe the information provided and whether they want to support this privately organised enterprise. As someone else has pointed out, lots of dubious appeals on GFM and it's caveat emptor for sure.

Your DP has no obligation to provide thanks or page updates to those who have provided support. Although the fact that he is not intending to tell them that he'll be taking some of their donations to pay for his ticket to Germany to deliver cash to ensure that there's no financial footprint might tell you he is aware that matters are being played fast and loose, here.

Saw you said your DP is an electrician. Does he have his own business? If this is going through business accounts, HMRC are even more likely to be interested.

Is the woman with cancer named as a beneficiary on the appeal?

I missed @Calamitousness post - I covered the same ground.

They will want a bank statement proving transfer of funds.

So…DP doesn’t have deep pockets to hire a shit hot lawyer.

The backer is the donator.

From your DP’s perspective the take home is that crowdfunding income has to be declared by law and that it may be considered potentially taxable income - which is why HMRC want to have a look at it.

The fact he’s giving it to someone else is irrelevant - the account is in his name, the money is going into his bank account - if I earn money and give it to someone else I still have to pay tax on it.

HMRC only have his word for it that he isn’t using it for himself. If 10k is withdrawn in cash from his account and he has no receipts to show purchase or investment, whether domestic or business and he says it took it on a plane to Germany to give to his mate - he will have no receipt to prove that is the case.

If they ask him why his mate couldn’t set up his own crowdfunding account - how will he answer? Because my mate is trying to dodge tax or benefit laws in Germany?

@Queenjuliana

After reading @Projectme's very informative and detailed post I think you should cover your back and report the GFM page as you suspect it is a cover for criminal activity.

Unfortunately, the advice is relevant to the actual situation. This isn't about your hubby lending £50 from the family Christmas turkey fund to a ne'er do well mate down the pub you know you'll never see again, but full on money laundering and fraud (with likely drugs and possible terrorism risks) committed with full prior knowledge. If this goes ahead, and you are caught you will very likely have a life defining criminal record and jail is very likely. Most of us are holding our heads in our hands wondering what else we can say to stop you ruining your life (your partner can take his own responsibility). Google "Western Union Money Mules" to see what happens, and how well-meaning but bewildered people are still sent to jail.

Doesn't matter if she really has cancer. Your German friends are at the very least defrauding the German government. You will be caught up in the mess