Crackdown on Internet scams
Scotland Yards Operation Sterling has unveiled plans to combat Internet fraud that is estimated to cost the UK residents £1 billion a year according to research carried out by the Office of Fair Trading.
Scotland Yards Operation Sterling has unveiled plans to combat Internet fraud that is estimated to cost the UK residents £1 billion a year according to research carried out by the Office of Fair Trading.
Scams that will be targeted include bogus prize draws, where an email is sent listing a premium telephone number to claim non-existent prizes.
London`s Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur commented: “The organised criminal networks involved in high-volume fraud prey on anyone and everyone with highly plausible, well-rehearsed techniques.
“As part of the scheme detectives from Operation Sterling will partner with the money transfer company Western Union who have long expressed a concern that their systems have been used by criminals to carry out a range of frauds. Western Union vice president Paul Bucher said: “Education is one of the best tools we have in the fight against consumer fraud and the educated consumer is better able to protect themselves and their hard-earned money.”