Menu
13/09/2004
Canadian authorities to aid NI Trading Standards in lottery scam
Trading Standards officers in Northern Ireland have begun working alongside their Canadian counterparts to help tackle a lottery scam which is targeting UK homes.
Thousands of UK residents have fallen victim to the fraudulent lottery schemes which promise winnings from the Canadian national lottery in return for administration or release fees.
Canadian detective Barry Elliot, from the Ontario Provincial Police, will visit Belfast tomorrow alongside Office of Fair Trading (OFT) staff to meet with Trading Standards officers and representatives from other advice agencies to discuss best practice and how close cooperation between the UK and Canada is helping to tackle the problem.
He will also talk about his experience on the Canadian initiative PhoneBusters – a national police scheme set up specifically to target deceptive telemarketing scams.
Head of Northern Ireland's Trading Standards Service, David Livingstone, said Northern Ireland's consumers have increasingly been targeted by people running money-making scams.
"They invariably promise huge rewards in return for sending off either an administration fee or your personal bank account details," Mr Livingstone said.
"We are extremely grateful to Barry for coming to Northern Ireland to share with Trading Standards staff his knowledge and experience in tackling such scams.
"The challenge for Trading Standards is to warn consumers not to be tempted when one of these 'too-good-to-be-true' offers drops through their letter box. Our advice is to treat these offers with extreme suspicion, and consign this type of correspondence straight to the bin."
Colin Brown, Director of Co-regulation, Codes and Coordination at the OFT, said Sergeant Elliot's visit was a key part in keeping the Canadian lottery scam high profile and to share best practice with UK enforcement agencies.
(MB/GMCG)
Thousands of UK residents have fallen victim to the fraudulent lottery schemes which promise winnings from the Canadian national lottery in return for administration or release fees.
Canadian detective Barry Elliot, from the Ontario Provincial Police, will visit Belfast tomorrow alongside Office of Fair Trading (OFT) staff to meet with Trading Standards officers and representatives from other advice agencies to discuss best practice and how close cooperation between the UK and Canada is helping to tackle the problem.
He will also talk about his experience on the Canadian initiative PhoneBusters – a national police scheme set up specifically to target deceptive telemarketing scams.
Head of Northern Ireland's Trading Standards Service, David Livingstone, said Northern Ireland's consumers have increasingly been targeted by people running money-making scams.
"They invariably promise huge rewards in return for sending off either an administration fee or your personal bank account details," Mr Livingstone said.
"We are extremely grateful to Barry for coming to Northern Ireland to share with Trading Standards staff his knowledge and experience in tackling such scams.
"The challenge for Trading Standards is to warn consumers not to be tempted when one of these 'too-good-to-be-true' offers drops through their letter box. Our advice is to treat these offers with extreme suspicion, and consign this type of correspondence straight to the bin."
Colin Brown, Director of Co-regulation, Codes and Coordination at the OFT, said Sergeant Elliot's visit was a key part in keeping the Canadian lottery scam high profile and to share best practice with UK enforcement agencies.
(MB/GMCG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 November 2024
UK Education Ministers Meet In Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland hosted the fifth UK Education Ministers' Council (EMC) meeting at Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn.
UK Education Ministers Meet In Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland hosted the fifth UK Education Ministers' Council (EMC) meeting at Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn.
20 November 2024
Parents And Guardians Urged To Share Childcare Experiences
Parents and guardians across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to participate in a new survey to share their experiences of childcare. The survey, commissioned by the Department of Education, aims to gather valuable insights to inform future childcare policies.
Parents And Guardians Urged To Share Childcare Experiences
Parents and guardians across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to participate in a new survey to share their experiences of childcare. The survey, commissioned by the Department of Education, aims to gather valuable insights to inform future childcare policies.
25 November 2024
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
15 February 2006
Consumers warned about mass-market scams
The Trading Standards Service has today warned both businesses and consumers to be on the look out for dangerous and costly mass-market scams. This warning comes during scam awareness month, which commenced on February 1 and aims to show people how to recognise scammers and know what to do if they suspect they are being conned.
Consumers warned about mass-market scams
The Trading Standards Service has today warned both businesses and consumers to be on the look out for dangerous and costly mass-market scams. This warning comes during scam awareness month, which commenced on February 1 and aims to show people how to recognise scammers and know what to do if they suspect they are being conned.
07 January 2005
Trading Standards warn of tsunami email scams
The generosity of local people could be exploited by bogus emails asking for donations to help those affected by the Tsunami disaster, it has emerged. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s Trading Standards Service is warning of the cons which have already been reported in America and Britain.
Trading Standards warn of tsunami email scams
The generosity of local people could be exploited by bogus emails asking for donations to help those affected by the Tsunami disaster, it has emerged. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s Trading Standards Service is warning of the cons which have already been reported in America and Britain.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
