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.
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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.”