<h1>Fraud Alert: Protect Yourself from ICTSG Impersonation Scams</h1>
<p>In today&rsquo;s digital era, online scams and impersonation tactics are on the rise, threatening both individuals and institutions alike. The <strong>International Council of Traditional Sports and Games (ICTSG)</strong> has recently observed an increasing number of fraudulent correspondences claiming association with our organization. These deceptive activities are aimed at <strong>extracting personal information, money, and donations</strong> under false pretenses.</p>
<h2>Understanding the Scam: What&rsquo;s Happening?</h2>
<h3>Types of Fraudulent Communications</h3>
<ul>
<li>Emails from unofficial or free domains (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo)</li>
<li>Fake websites and landing pages</li>
<li>Text messages and social media DMs</li>
<li>Impersonated letters or faxes with forged ICTSG logos</li>
</ul>
<p>These messages often:</p>
<ul>
<li>Request <strong>donations</strong> on behalf of ICTSG</li>
<li>Seek <strong>sensitive personal details</strong></li>
<li>Offer <strong>fake roles, sponsorships, or awards</strong></li>
<li>Ask recipients to pay <strong>registration or participation fees</strong></li>
</ul>
<h2>Official Position of ICTSG</h2>
<p>ICTSG does not solicit personal information or funds via unofficial channels. We only use enterprise-registered email addresses (e.g., <a href="mailto:office@traditionalsportsgames.org">office@traditionalsportsgames.org</a>) and never authorize third-party communication without notice.</p>
<h2>How to Recognize a Scam?</h2>
<h3>Red Flags to Watch Out For</h3>
<ul>
<li>Grammatical errors or awkward language</li>
<li>Overly flattering or urgent language</li>
<li>Non-professional email domains</li>
<li>Visual inconsistencies in branding</li>
</ul>
<h3>Examples of Official ICTSG Communication Practices</h3>
<table style="width: 75.8042%; height: 99.5624px;" border="1" cellpadding="6">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 22.3906px;">
<th style="width: 21.4137%; height: 22.3906px;">Feature</th>
<th style="width: 47.817%; height: 22.3906px;">Official ICTSG</th>
<th style="width: 30.5613%; height: 22.3906px;">Scam</th>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22.3906px;">
<td style="width: 21.4137%; height: 22.3906px;">Email Domain</td>
<td style="width: 47.817%; height: 22.3906px;">@traditionalsportsgames.org</td>
<td style="width: 30.5613%; height: 22.3906px;">Gmail, Outlook, etc.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22.3906px;">
<td style="width: 21.4137%; height: 22.3906px;">Tone</td>
<td style="width: 47.817%; height: 22.3906px;">Formal, precise</td>
<td style="width: 30.5613%; height: 22.3906px;">Rushed, pushy</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22.3906px;">
<td style="width: 21.4137%; height: 22.3906px;">Logo Use</td>
<td style="width: 47.817%; height: 22.3906px;">Consistent</td>
<td style="width: 30.5613%; height: 22.3906px;">Blurred or outdated</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 10px;">
<td style="width: 21.4137%; height: 10px;">Requests</td>
<td style="width: 47.817%; height: 10px;">Info only via portals</td>
<td style="width: 30.5613%; height: 10px;">Money or data</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Educational Resources &amp; Best Practices</h2>
<h3>How You Can Protect Yourself</h3>
<ol>
<li>Do not click suspicious links</li>
<li>Verify the sender&rsquo;s address</li>
<li>Double-check claims with official ICTSG sources</li>
<li>Report to local cybercrime units</li>
<li>Never share sensitive details</li>
<li>Contact ICTSG if unsure</li>
</ol>
<h3>Helpful Resources</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.unesco.org/en/digital-citizenship" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UNESCO Cybercrime Guidance</a></li>
<li><a href="https://staysafeonline.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stay Safe Online</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.europol.europa.eu/crime-areas-and-trends/crime-areas/cybercrime/online-fraud" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Europol &ndash; Online Fraud</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>For Victims: What to Do If You Were Targeted</h2>
<ul>
<li>Stop communication immediately</li>
<li>Contact your bank</li>
<li>Report the incident to law enforcement</li>
<li>Email ICTSG at <a href="mailto:office@traditionalsportsgames.org">office@traditionalsportsgames.org</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Conclusion: Stay Vigilant and Informed</h2>
<p>ICTSG denounces all fraudulent attempts that misuse our name. Always stay alert, verify sources, and report suspicious activity. Together, we can preserve the integrity of our mission and community.</p>
<h2>Official ICTSG Contact and Channels</h2>
<ul>
<li>Website: <a href="https://traditionalsportsgames.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://traditionalsportsgames.org</a></li>
<li>Email: <a href="mailto:official@traditionalsportsgames.org">official@traditionalsportsgames.org</a></li>
<li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-council-of-traditional-sports-and-games" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ICTSG LinkedIn</a></li>
<li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/traditionalsportsandgames" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@traditionalsportsandgames</a></li>
<li>Twitter/X: <a href="https://twitter.com/theictsg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@theictsg</a></li>
<li>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@traditionalsportsandgames" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ICTSG YouTube Channel</a></li>
</ul>

Learn to spot fake ICTSG messages. Avoid scams and identity theft. Stay informed and protected.

ICTSG Fraud Alert: Beware of Scams