The Charity Commission for England and Wales has escalated its inquiry into 105 charities linked to a cheque-cashing company in Hackney, following revelations that over £22 million was exchanged for cash between December 2021 and March 2023.

This next phase of the statutory class inquiry includes ten additional charities, such as the Ezer Viznitz Foundation and Satmar Nursery Trust, now under scrutiny for financial practices that may conflict with their charitable objectives.

The regulator is examining:

• 💸 How trustees oversaw the transfer and use of funds
• 📋 Whether the cash supported the charities’ stated missions
• ⚖️ If these transactions were in the best interest of the organizations

To prevent further risk, the Commission has issued an immediate order: none of the charities under investigation may issue cheques without prior approval.

The scope of the inquiry may widen if new concerns emerge. This investigation reflects the Commission’s broader mission to uphold public trust and ensure charities operate transparently and ethically.