Several scam emails claiming to be from or associated with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are circulating on the Internet in many languages. They often include our logo, photos, links, or other information from our Web site.
Recent emails invite applications to apply for the 2008 Access to Learning and Global Development Award, asking for personal information and an application fee. Some emails direct users to an infected Web site or claim the recipient has won a lottery or other prize and request detailed personal information or a payment of some kind in order to receive the winnings. Others claim the recipient has been invited to a conference or summit hosted by the foundation and request a registration fee or other expenses to attend. Web sites that promise large returns on investments and claim a portion of returns will be donated to the foundation are another form of fraud.
These emails, Web sites, and accompanying materials and claims are in no way associated with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, or any foundation employees. The foundation does not and will not solicit donations of any kind. We recommend not responding to emails making such claims.
For more information about the Federal Trade Commission's efforts against these kinds of fraud, please visit http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/tech/spam.shtm. You can also email your inquiries about scam email, letters, and phone calls to info@gatesfoundation.org.
Updated March 17, 2009