An email claiming to be an official letter of approval for the appointment of an individual as a United Nations Ambassador for Refugees has surfaced, prompting concerns over its authenticity and the possibility of a fraudulent scheme.
The communication, which purportedly originates from the Office of the Secretary-General of the United Nations at the UN Headquarters in New York, congratulates the recipient as an “Ambassador Elect” and informs them of an alleged appointment as a UN Ambassador for Refugees.
The letter references the work of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), describing the agency’s mandate of protecting the rights and supporting the wellbeing of people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution.
It further claims that UN ambassadors and messengers of peace are distinguished personalities selected from fields such as arts, literature, science, entertainment, sports and other areas of public life to help raise awareness about United Nations programmes and humanitarian efforts.
The message states that the alleged appointment was necessary due to global humanitarian challenges, including the impact of ongoing conflicts such as the crisis in Gaza. It claims that the recipient would represent the United Nations in their country, support vulnerable communities and help promote hope and encouragement among refugees.
The email also alleges that the United Nations would provide financial support to enable the recipient to perform ambassadorial duties, with further responsibilities to be communicated later.
However, the correspondence contains several warning signs, including a request for sensitive personal information such as full names, passport photographs, residential address, date and place of birth, nationality, telephone number, occupation and age.
It also makes claims about the issuance of a “United Nations Diplomatic Passport” and “United Nations Identity,” documents that are not typically issued through unsolicited email appointments.
The letter is signed in the name of Dr. Barham Salih, who is falsely identified as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and references UN Secretary-General António Guterres. It also instructs the recipient to move the message from spam or junk folders and provide personal details to proceed with the alleged appointment.
The United Nations has previously warned members of the public to be cautious of fraudulent communications claiming to offer official appointments, financial benefits or diplomatic privileges in exchange for personal information.
Individuals who receive similar messages are advised to verify such claims through official United Nations communication channels and avoid sharing personal or confidential information with unverified sources.
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL
UNITED NATIONS.
UN Headquarters
405 East 42nd Street,
New York, NY, 10017, USA.
LETTER OF APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENT AS AMBASSADOR FOR REFUGEES.
Attention: Ambassador Elect,
Permit me to officially use this medium to convey approval of your appointment as a UN Ambassador for Refugees.
Note” the UNHCR, UN Refugee Agency is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution.
The UN ambassadorial appointment for Refugees and Messengers of Peace are distinguished individuals, carefully selected from the fields of art, literature, science, entertainment, sports or other fields of public life, who have agreed to help focus worldwide attention on the work of the United Nations.
Backed by the highest honor bestowed by the Secretary-General on a global scale, these prominent volunteer personalities give their time, talent and passion to raise awareness of United Nations efforts to improve the lives of billions of people everywhere.
This appointment becomes necessary because of challenges in our hands, in the midst of dire circumstances brought about by the escalating Israeli bombardment in Gaza City, the ongoing conflict has left indelible physical and psychological scars on the people of Gaza, affecting not only human lives.
Therefore, see the ambassadorial appointment as a great honor on your person and great privilege bestowed on you UN Ambassador is a great privilege that has been given to you to be one of the United Nation representative in the world/your Country to manage and control the fund UN will be donating to the vulnerable, and there’s nothing with your age nor stopping you from your other daily activities, therefore we encourage you to try and join this UN High Commissioner Ambassador as you have so must advantage to benefit for been UN Ambassador for immigrants refugees in your Country
The United Nations will give you all the necessary financial backing to carry out your Ambassadorial functions delightfully, Job description and other obligations will be explained to you in our subsequent email.
The United Nation Refugees Group contacted you because of your monitored pedigree in humanitarian affairs, we have no doubt that you will give out your best in the discharge of your obligation, you are expected to give words of love, comfort and wisdom, show that as a refugee it does not mean the end of life hence their future is as bright as any other person outside there.
I shall formally send you the UN LETTER OF APPOINTMENT when you have provided us with your details. So, the Office of the United Nations is pleased to inform you that you have been appointed as Ambassador for refugees.
If you receive this message in your SPAM FOLDER or identified as JUNK, it is as a result of networking, kindly move it to your INBOX and respond accordingly.
Kindly provide us with the following information below:
(A)Names
(b)Current Passport picture
(c)Resident Address
(d)Date of Birth
(e)Place of Birth
(f)Nationality
(g)Direct Mobile Number
(h)Occupation
(i) Age.
We made the request for the issuance of the following:
1.UNITED NATIONS DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT
2.UNITED NATIONS IDENTITY.
We are sincerely happy to work with you in your new appointment, hence looking forward to meeting with you in our headquarters in the United States Of America.
Therefore, if you are ready to serve as UN Ambassador for Refugees, give us your full consent and provide us your particulars upon receipt of this email.
Thank you
I await your reply.
Sincerely Yours,
Dr.Barham Salih
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
For : Antonio Gutteres
Secretary General Antonio Gutteres of the United Nations (UNO).
This email and all files transmitted, including its content, are to be considered confidential and intended solely for the intended recipient. It is sent in compliance with UN Regulations, which are applicable under EU law.