Urgent warning about email scams

CAFOD supporters should beware known email scams currently being circulated, claiming to be from our organisation

Scam One

With the subject line "CAFOD", the email claims to offer the chance to earn a weekly income while supporting "human development and social justice" work overseas, and also includes some snippets of CAFOD history.

It also includes an application form to be filled in and returned to an email address of easternexp@uymail.com for "correspondance purposes".

CAFOD stresses that this email has been compiled and emailed out fraudently, and warns anyone receiving it to immediately delete it from their system, and report that they have received such spam to their IT department or supplier.

It is also important to note that whoever is behind this scam should not be confused with Franck Bura, who is the co-ordinator of CAFOD's partner GRAPI - the Research and Action Group for Peace - in the DRC, and who is closely involved in our ongoing Unearth Justice campaign.

Scam Two

With the subject line "Our 2008 Director In Your Region", the email claims the recipient has "been chosen for this year director in your region on 'help the needed'".

It asks for the recipient to contact Mark Neal through: (barrmarkneal@yahoo.de), and finishes with the sign-off "May GOD bless you" from Mrs. Faith Anderson, claiming to be P.R.O at The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development.

Scam Three

Claiming to be "FROM THE DESK OF: Rt Rev John Rawsthorne, Bishop of Hallam, CAFOD" this email invites the recipient into "our team of World Wide Life-Savers".

It asks the receiver to "work as a Payment Representative for us in the US" and lists a job description, requirements and application form to fill in. It goes on to ask that "all correspondence be sent to Johnraw16@gmail.com".

Scam Four

With the subject line "CAFOD GROUPS PLACEMENT OFFER (LOGISTIC/SERVICE OFFER)", this is sent out by an individual claiming to be "Grace Baines Director of Human Resources CAFOD".

It is sent from the email address "cafodgroups@aol.com" and asks the receiver to fill out an application form in order to "work as a Payment Representative for us in the United states".

It would appear those writing these emails have used publicly-available information about CAFOD and our partners in order to attempt to give the scams an air of authenticity.

Tom O'Connor, CAFOD director of communities and supporters, says: "We are rigorously investigating the source of these spam emails and would like to assure supporters that we do not condone any such behaviour designed to exploit the excellent reputation CAFOD enjoys worldwide for our hard work.

"We would also like to make it clear that CAFOD has a strict policy never to send out unsolicited emails anyway - only those who have specifically requested email communications will be contacted in this way by us."

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