Minderoo Foundation
Hoaxes and Scams
Danger due to hacking of computer dataDanger due to hacking of computer data

Hoaxes & scams

Hoaxes & Scams

Please be aware that Minderoo Foundation and members of the Forrest family have and continue to be the subject of hoaxes and scams including via phone calls, emails, website scams and bogus collectors whereby people may be encouraged to donate to Minderoo Foundation or make other investments.

Neither Minderoo Foundation nor the Forrest family will:

  • offer investment advice or recommendations;
  • contact persons or organisations offering grants or donations without a prior relationship;
  • ask a person or organisation to become a member in order to receive a donation;
  • ask a person or organisation to pay a fee or donation to receive funding or other benefit.

We will not send unsolicited email or make unsolicited calls to the public requesting donations. We will only contact you if:

  • you have given us your contact details;
  • you have expressed an interest in Minderoo Foundation;
  • we have a particular question about your donation;
  • you have opted-in to be contacted to hear more information from us.

If you receive an unsolicited communication alleging to be on behalf of Minderoo Foundation or the Forrest family or collecting for Minderoo Foundation, do not:

  • respond to that communication;
  • provide any personal details;
  • forward or otherwise circulate the communication.

You may report any such communication to the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN), who may be able to advise you on how to deal with the communication.

Scamwatch (phone 1300 795 995 or visit www.scamwatch.gov.au) may also be able to provide you with further information or assistance.

Only make a donation to Minderoo Foundation as set out on this website.

Recently, we have been made aware of the following hoaxes and scams:

  • A falsified news article which suggests that Andrew Forrest has endorsed a bitcoin trading platform. The comments attributed to Andrew are fabricated, as are the interviews the article claims occurred.
  • Emails being sent to individuals and charities offering them a donation from the Minderoo Foundation or Andrew and Nicola Forrest. Please refer to statements above.

Please note that while we may bring attention to hoaxes and scams on our website when they become known to us, what is provided here is not a complete list and you should refer to the general statements set out above.