Beware of scams implying association with WHO
Please note:
- WHO never asks for money for recruitment.
- It is not WHO's policy to charge registration fees for conferences or meetings.
- WHO does not conduct lotteries, or offer prizes or awards through e-mail.
Various fraudulent schemes purporting to be from or associated with the World Health Organization (WHO), have been circulating. Most of them circulate as e-mails, but there are also rogue web sites and in some instances faxes and telephones are used. Many of these scams request detailed information and/or money from individuals, businesses or non-profit organizations with the promise that they will receive funds or other benefits in return.
Others ask for registration fees for conferences allegedly sponsored by WHO and for hotel reservations, again with the promise of certain benefits. Another type of scam proposes employment opportunities with WHO. These scams sometimes carry the WHO logo, and originate from or refer to e-mail addresses made to look like WHO or United Nations address.
WHO wishes to warn the public of these misleading practices that do not originate from WHO, and are not in any way associated with WHO projects or events. WHO strongly recommends that recipients of solicitations such as those described above (whether sent by e-mail or communicated in any other way) verify very carefully their authenticity before sending any response.
In particular, WHO suggests that recipients do not send money or personal information in response to invitations from anyone who claims to be awarding jobs, funds, grants, scholarships, certificates, lottery winnings, or prizes, and/or who requests payment for registration fees and hotel rooms reservations in the name of WHO. It is not a WHO policy to charge for attendance at meetings.
WHO is trying to warn the community at large about these deceptive practices, and we will therefore appreciate your help in bringing suspect communications to our attention.