The name of the President of the Welsh Rugby Union, Dennis Gethin, is being falsely used to target ambitious young players with the false hope of being recruited to play professionally in Canada.
Individuals from rugby playing nations around the world have been targeted in the scam which is completely false.
The conmen behind the scam have set up an internet account using the name Dennis Gethin entirely without his permission and without the approval of the Welsh Rugby Union.
The Welsh Rugby Union is urging players who receive the emails not to respond under any circumstances.
The emails falsely promise young players the opportunity to play professional rugby for a new club in Canada.
The messages promise attractive salaries and initially request CV’s and more personal information before finally asking the recipients to send money to obtain official documentation which would allow them to travel to Canada and work.
The emails are addressed to individuals by name and falsely purport to have been written by the President of the Welsh Rugby Union on behalf of a new professional rugby club in Canada which needs to recruit players.
Mr Gethin said: “I have been informed of the existence of these email messages but they have absolutely nothing to do with me and have been sent without my permission.”
A spokesman for the Welsh Rugby Union said: “We warn any player or individual who receives one of these messages not to respond under any circumstances.
“This is a cruel scam which attempts to obtain money by conning ambitious young rugby players into parting with money in order to achieve their dream of securing a professional playing contract.
“To use the name of the President of the Welsh Rugby Union in this way is an appalling and cynical crime.”
The Welsh Rugby Union has been contacted by several individuals from around the rugby world who have received the emails and want to check their authenticity.
