UN’s FAO warns public vs scammers using its name, logo

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns the public individuals and groups using its name and logo to solicit money. Photo from FAO Philippines Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned the public against individuals and groups using its name and logo to steal money.

Farmers and fisherfolk in Visayas and Mindanao appear to be the target of the “fraudulent schemes” that promise “large paybacks, interest-free loans, vehicles, jobs, and livestock,” according to FAO.

“The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) warns the public of fraudulent schemes targeting farmers and fishers in rural areas in Mindanao and the Visayas regions in the Philippines,” it said in a statement on Wednesday.

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“The schemes purporting to be issued by or associated with FAO and/or its officials and/or partners use FAO’s name and logo to collect fees, payments or ‘investments’ to be eligible as beneficiaries of FAO projects. These are scams promising large paybacks, as well as for interest-free loans, vehicles, jobs, and even livestock,” it added.

The FAO stressed it does not charge any fees, promise monetary rewards, or require information on bank account details.

“FAO does not charge any fees from beneficiaries at any stage of its project implementation as well its procurement or recruitment processes, nor does it promise monetary rewards. FAO does not require information relating to the bank account details of beneficiaries or applicants,” it said.

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The FAO appealed to the public to help stop the scam by staying alert against suspicious solicitations and offer and to immediately report them to authorities or through their emails: [email protected], and [email protected].

“FAO strongly recommends to verify the authenticity of solicitations and offers before responding to any such offers. Suspicious communications purportedly from, for or on behalf of FAO should be reported to FAO at [email protected]. Fraudulent schemes may also be reported to [email protected] and/or to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action,” it said.