Scam Money Transfers - Fake Grants: Fondazion Di Vittorio - ECOWAS

Scam Money Transfers - Fake Grants
Example - Fondazion Di Vittorio- ECOWAS
Mr Sparo Malcom, Fabio Giovanni

Here's a variation on the basic scam money transfer email.  You received an email from "Mr Sparo Malcom" of "Fondazion Di Vittorio", which is supposedly supported by "ECOWAS", telling you to contact "Fabio Giovanni".  They just want to GIVE you money, as long as you use a part of help to develop the environment.

If it isn't obvious, we'll say it for you: this is a complete scam and fraud.  In some cases, the alleged organizations, like "Fondazion Di Vittorio" do exist and may be legitimate.  Don't let that fool you.  The scammer has nothing to do with them; the email and the grant are all nonsense. If you believe that there are organizations randomly handing out money like this, then we fear you may have been scammed already!

If you need more tangible proof, ask yourself this:  why would an substantial organization with a website ask you to reply to a yahoo (or hotmail or other) generic, free email address, unrelated to the organization, which ANYONE could get? We've highlighted some of the more absurd statements and clues in the example email below.

And if you were crazy enough to write back to them, click here to a typical response the scammers send.

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Sample actual scam letter from "Fondazion Di Vittorio":

VITTORIO FONDAZIONE.
Corso Ercole I d'Este 44,
Ferrara 44100 - Italy

Foundation's Officer,
Fondazion Di Vittorio, ITALY
http://www.fondazionedivittorio.it

Concern.

The Foundazion di Vittorio, would like to notify you that you have been chosen by the board of trustees as one of the final recipients of a cash Grant/Donation for your own personal, educational, and business development. The Fondazione Di Vittorio, established 1977 by the Multi-Million groups and now supported by the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS), United Nations Organization (UNO) and the European Union (EU) was conceived with the objective of human growth, educational, and community development.

To celebrate the 28th anniversary program, The Vittorio Foundation in conjunction with the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS), United Nations Organization (UNO) and the European Union (EU) is giving out a yearly donation of US$245,000.00 (Two Hundred And Forty Five Thousand United States Dollars) to 100 lucky recipients. These specific Donations/Grants will be awarded to 100 lucky international recipients worldwide; in different categories for their personal business development and enhancement of their educational plans. At least 15% of the awarded funds should be used by you to develop a part of your environment. This is a yearly program, which is a measure of universal development strategy.

The objective is to make a notable change in the standard of living of people all around the Universe (From America to Europe, Asia to Africa and all around). The Vittorio Foundation has been assured of highest organization standard courtesy of the United Nations. It is our belief that we can achieve a great positive change in the general welfare of the universe through this program. That is why the foundation is doing everything possible to get all recipients notified of their donation.

Note that your country is not the only country that is benefiting from this donation. Beneficiaries have been chosen from countries from all continents. The idea of this donation is that within ten years from now, there will be notable richness among many unusual people around the world. This will give many people the opportunity to get their lives to a stage where they had always wanted.

Based on the random selection exercise of internet websites and millions of supermarket cash invoices worldwide, you were selected among the lucky recipients to receive the award sum of US$245,000.00 (Two Hundred And Forty Five Thousand United States Dollars) as charity donations/aid from the Vittorio Foundation, ECOWAS, EU and the UNO in accordance with the enabling act of Parliament. (Note that all beneficiaries email addresses were selected randomly from over 100,000 internet websites or a shop's cash invoice around your area in which you might have purchased something from).

You are required to fill the form below and email it to our Executive Secretary below for qualification documentation and processing of your claims. After contacting our office with the requested data, you will be given your donation pin number, which you will use in collecting the funds. Please endeavor to quote your Qualification numbers (N-222-6747, E-900-56) in all discussions.

FULL NAMES:__________________________________
ADDRESS: _________________________________________________
STATE:__________________________________ ZIP: ______________
COUNTRY________________________________
SEX:_______________
AGE:__________________
OCCUPATION:________________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS:_____________________________
TELEPHONE NUMBER:_____________________

Executive Secretary- Fabio Giovanni
Email: fabio.fondazionedivittorio01@yahoo.it

All information is strictly confidential and will only be used for the purpose to which it is been requested.
Finally, all funds should be claimed by their respective beneficiaries, no later than 15 days after notification. Failure to do so will mean cancellation of that beneficiary and its donation will then be reserved for next year's recipients.

On behalf of the Board kindly, accept our warmest congratulations.

Regards.
Mr. Sparo Malcom
(Foundation Officer)
 

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