Q. If you are in a tzedaka appeal for a worthy institution where pledges are called out loud, are you allowed to pledge a very large sum to encourage others to give, when you don’t have the intention or can’t keep your promise?

A. Minchas Yitzchok (3: 97) addresses this question and quotes Maharsho (Suka 29a,b). There the Talmud mentions that a severe punishment is granted to those who promise publicly tzedaka and then do not deliver. Maharsho (ibid.) explains that we are dealing with community leaders whose intention is noble and aim to encourage the giving of others. Still it is deceitful, fraudulent and prohibited.

Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is similar

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a