Email criminals impersonate Dr Idowu-Fearon

FRAUDSTERS used an email address made to look as if it belonged to the secretary-general of the Anglican Communion, the Rt Revd Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon. The Anglican Communion News Service reported that people were sent emails from a Gmail account purporting to be that of Dr Idowu-Fearon, asking the recipient to buy iTunes gift cards. At least one person was defrauded of £200 by this method. In the fraud committed last month the recipient was told that the “secretary-general” was in a business meeting, and wanted the gift cards to be sent to a friend in hospital. A spokesman for the City of London Police said: “Fraudsters are using online store gift cards to collect money from victims because they can be easily redeemed and sold on.” The Anglican Communion’s director of communication, Gavin Drake, urged vigilance.

More than $1 billion pledged for Mozambique

DONORS have pledged $1.2 billion to help Mozambique since the country was devastated by cyclones earlier this year. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) held a two-day international pledging conference in the country, which prompted development partners to commit financial and technical resources to support recovery. The UNDP Africa Bureau regional director, Noura Hamladji, said that the recovery needed to be “resilient”, as it was highly likely that there would be more cyclones. More than 2.6 million people were affected by a Cyclone Idai that swept through Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, resulting in 480 deaths (News, 22 March).

Day to remember victims of religious violence

A DAY to commemorate victims of violence based on religion or belief has been established on 22 August. The United Nations General Assembly created the day in a resolution, at the end of last month. Its establishment follows the attacks on Christians in Sri Lanka, and on Muslims in New Zealand in recent months. The UN resolution also reaffirmed the UN’s condemnation of all violence based on religion or belief.