UN anti-AIDS programme and women’s agency condemn scams using their names

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS today warned the public that e-mails requesting detailed personal information or soliciting money from individuals, businesses or non-profit organizations in its name are a scam and it appealed for information to help stop the practice.

“These e-mails sometimes carry the UNAIDS logo, and emanate from or refer to an e-mail address which is made to look like a United Nations address,” it said. “These e-mails do not emanate from UNAIDS, and are not in any way associated with UNAIDS projects or events.”

It suggested that recipients should not send money or personal information to anyone “who claims to be awarding funds, grants, scholarships, certificates, lottery winnings, or prizes, and/or who requests payment for registration fees and hotel rooms reservations, in the name of UNAIDS.”

The complaint joins that of the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), which says “it is currently aware of fictitious vacancy announcements that are being circulated through the Internet, the purpose of which is to get people to register for training and send in a fee.” It adds: “UNIFEM, as a matter of practice, does not charge any application, processing or training fee at any stage of the recruitment process.”