Fraud Alert: Fake UN Summit Invitation Circulating

Posted on by Divas

You may have received this fraudulent invitation for a fake “2025 United Nations World Sustainable Development Summit” currently circulating, claiming to offer free flights, a generous grant, and visa support to attendees and requesting your personal information by filling a fake UN registration form
The scam email, which appears to be from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), details a supposed in-person summit in London, United Kingdom, from August 25 to August 29, 2025

The invitation includes several red flags that can help you identify it as a scam:

  • Financial Incentives: The email promises significant financial benefits, including a round-trip “FREE AIR FLIGHT TICKET” provided by British Airways and a “Delegation Support Grant” of £2,750 GBP to cover personal expenses. The grant is a particularly alluring detail, as the email states it will be disbursed upon arrival in London.
  • Mandatory Hotel Booking: The invitation requires all participants to book their accommodation through a specific, nominated hotel called “The Global Event Hotels”. It explicitly states that hotel reservations from online systems like Booking.com or Agoda.com will not be accepted. The email provides a specific email address and phone numbers for this hotel to submit a reservation request as follows: Email: reservations@globaleventhotels.com
    Telephone: +44 (0) 7877 180 918
    WhatsApp: +44 (0) 7955 563 554
  • Urgent Registration Deadline: The email pressures recipients to submit their completed registration form, a scanned copy of their passport, and the required hotel reservation confirmation within three days of receiving the email. It warns that failure to do so will result in their “participation file” being excluded from the final conference programme.
  • Official-Sounding but Falsified Details: The email uses formal language and a detailed agenda to appear legitimate. It mentions an in-depth review of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and lists a legitimate UN official, Maria-Francesca Spatolisano (retired), as the sender. The email signature, however, includes a non-official email address for registration.

If you receive this invitation, do not provide any personal information, passport details, or money for hotel bookings. The request to use a specific, non-mainstream hotel and the promise of free flights and cash grants are common tactics used in this type of scam to defraud victims. The goal is likely to trick recipients into paying for a fake hotel reservation or to steal their personal information. Always verify invitations to international summits and conferences through official United Nations websites and communication channels before taking any action.