Rotarians encouraged to delete scam e-mails

8 December 2005

As the Internet continues to grow, unfortunately so do e-mail scams and other forms of Internet fraud targeting Rotarians or abusing Rotary information.

The latest wave of e-mail scams, brought to RI's attention by Rotarians who received the message, is an e-mailed letter appearing to originate from the UK National Lottery and bearing the subject line "YOU HAVE WON £2,500,000!!!" The message goes on to explain that an agent will "facilitate the release of funds" after recipients respond to the e-mail. The scam is especially confusing because it uses the likeness and apparent signature of RI President Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar, though it is signed as "Mr. Brian Hunt." Visit the official site of the UK National Lottery to learn more about this and similar scams.

RI is aware of these schemes and encourages Rotarians to be vigilant about deleting any e-mail that appears suspicious. Rotary International does not solicit funds via e-mail, nor does it request that personal information be updated via e-mail or other electronic means.

Read more about other scams targeting Rotarians and how to avoid them.

This article is © 2005 Rotary International and is provided for the non-profit use of Rotarians worldwide; commercial use is prohibited. The article may be quoted, excerpted or used in its entirety, but the information should not be changed or modified in any way. Read more information in the RI copyright notice.

http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/announcements/scams.html

Best Rotary Regards,

Jim Damato, Supervisor
Club and District Support
Central Pan America