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28/09/2004
Canadian police target lottery scam in York
A Canadian police detective is to speak at a Citizens Advice conference in York this week on how to tackle Canadian lottery scams which have been operating in the UK recently.
Sergeant Barry Elliot will discuss a recent scam which has targeted thousands of UK consumers promising winnings from the Canadian national lottery in return for administration or release fees.
Sergeant Elliot from the Ontario Police will explain how close cooperation between the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and authorities in Canada is helping to tackle the problem.
He will also talk about his experience with the Canadian initiative PhoneBusters - a national police scheme set up specifically to target deceptive telemarketing scams.
Announcing the visit, Colin Brown, Director of Co-regulations, Codes and Coordination at the OFT, said: "Millions of pounds are being lost by UK consumers to this scam so it is vital that we tackle the problem through continued cooperation and it remains a top priority for all involved in crime enforcement.
"Sergeant Elliot's visit is a key part of that strategy to keep a high profile for the Canadian lottery scam, to share best practice with UK agencies and to get the message across to consumers."
The National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux conference at York University on Wednesday will see Citizens Advice staff from around the country gather to discuss consumer issues.
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Sergeant Barry Elliot will discuss a recent scam which has targeted thousands of UK consumers promising winnings from the Canadian national lottery in return for administration or release fees.
Sergeant Elliot from the Ontario Police will explain how close cooperation between the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and authorities in Canada is helping to tackle the problem.
He will also talk about his experience with the Canadian initiative PhoneBusters - a national police scheme set up specifically to target deceptive telemarketing scams.
Announcing the visit, Colin Brown, Director of Co-regulations, Codes and Coordination at the OFT, said: "Millions of pounds are being lost by UK consumers to this scam so it is vital that we tackle the problem through continued cooperation and it remains a top priority for all involved in crime enforcement.
"Sergeant Elliot's visit is a key part of that strategy to keep a high profile for the Canadian lottery scam, to share best practice with UK agencies and to get the message across to consumers."
The National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux conference at York University on Wednesday will see Citizens Advice staff from around the country gather to discuss consumer issues.
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03 December 2003
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Public warned about Canadian lottery scam
The Office Fair Trading (OFT) has issued a warning to consumers today about the dangers of the 'Canadian lottery' scam – a con trick that has so far relieved the British public of around £3 million in the first six months of this year.
24 September 2004
Canadian police visit UK to help tackle lottery scammers
Canadian police will travel to Dorset next week to help in the fight against fake Canadian lottery scams. Thousands of UK residents have already been targeted, and have fallen victim to the fraudulent lottery schemes which promise winnings from the Canadian national lottery in return for administration or release fees.
Canadian police visit UK to help tackle lottery scammers
Canadian police will travel to Dorset next week to help in the fight against fake Canadian lottery scams. Thousands of UK residents have already been targeted, and have fallen victim to the fraudulent lottery schemes which promise winnings from the Canadian national lottery in return for administration or release fees.
15 October 2003
New agreement to see crackdown on international scams
A new level of co-operation to crack down on the menace of international scams has been announced by the Department of Trade and Industry. UK consumers have in the past fallen victim to bogus Canadian lottery scams, and dubious e-mail approaches urging people to part with their money often originate from overseas, the department said.
New agreement to see crackdown on international scams
A new level of co-operation to crack down on the menace of international scams has been announced by the Department of Trade and Industry. UK consumers have in the past fallen victim to bogus Canadian lottery scams, and dubious e-mail approaches urging people to part with their money often originate from overseas, the department said.
15 February 2008
OFT In Scam Text Warning
The Office of Fair Trading has sent out thousands of fake scam text messages to 18-24-year-old mobile phone users in order to raise awareness about scams. The text message, sent out as part of Scams Awareness Month, reads: 'Urgent! U may have won £1k cash with 'A Good 2 B True'.
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The Office of Fair Trading has sent out thousands of fake scam text messages to 18-24-year-old mobile phone users in order to raise awareness about scams. The text message, sent out as part of Scams Awareness Month, reads: 'Urgent! U may have won £1k cash with 'A Good 2 B True'.
28 February 2006
OFT launches internet scam sweep
The Office of Fair Trading has launched an internet scam sweep and web chat in a bid to trap online scammers. Over the next three days, thousands of websites will be examined by consumer protection agencies from 21 countries, as well as over 20 Trading Standards departments within the UK.
OFT launches internet scam sweep
The Office of Fair Trading has launched an internet scam sweep and web chat in a bid to trap online scammers. Over the next three days, thousands of websites will be examined by consumer protection agencies from 21 countries, as well as over 20 Trading Standards departments within the UK.
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