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04/10/2004
Conference to enhance international anti-fraud efforts held
International consumer law enforcers from 29 countries are meeting in London today for a conference aimed at enhancing cross-border co-operation, and allow greater exchange of information in tackling international cons such as the Canada lottery scam.
The International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN), hosted by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), will focus primarily on efforts co-ordinating an annual worldwide internet sweep searching the internet for websites that make false or deceptive promises.
Delegates from the European Commission and the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will also discuss a range of topics from the enforcement action taken as a result of last internet sweep, to examining the internet marketing of mobile phone services directed at children.
OFT president Christine Wade said: "As the global market place shrinks and information and communications systems become ever more sophisticated, so does the threat from rogue traders and scams that exploit consumers.
"We have to rise to this challenge and work more closely with consumer enforcement agencies in other countries, to share intelligence and tackle scams originating outside our borders. We aim to deliver seamless global enforcement and this conference is central to that process."
The ICPEN conference, which was set up in 1992 to help consumer law enforcers in different countries join forces in tackling cross border problems, runs until October 8.
The OFT will also be co-hosting a spam (unsolicited e-mail) workshop on 11 October with the US Federal Trade Commission, which will look at how to achieve globally co-ordinated enforcement against unlawful and deceptive spam. OFT, in conjunction with the Australian ACCC, will support this work with practical best practice training on 11 and 12 October, to enable enforcers globally to adopt the investigative techniques of the more experienced authorities.
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The International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN), hosted by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), will focus primarily on efforts co-ordinating an annual worldwide internet sweep searching the internet for websites that make false or deceptive promises.
Delegates from the European Commission and the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will also discuss a range of topics from the enforcement action taken as a result of last internet sweep, to examining the internet marketing of mobile phone services directed at children.
OFT president Christine Wade said: "As the global market place shrinks and information and communications systems become ever more sophisticated, so does the threat from rogue traders and scams that exploit consumers.
"We have to rise to this challenge and work more closely with consumer enforcement agencies in other countries, to share intelligence and tackle scams originating outside our borders. We aim to deliver seamless global enforcement and this conference is central to that process."
The ICPEN conference, which was set up in 1992 to help consumer law enforcers in different countries join forces in tackling cross border problems, runs until October 8.
The OFT will also be co-hosting a spam (unsolicited e-mail) workshop on 11 October with the US Federal Trade Commission, which will look at how to achieve globally co-ordinated enforcement against unlawful and deceptive spam. OFT, in conjunction with the Australian ACCC, will support this work with practical best practice training on 11 and 12 October, to enable enforcers globally to adopt the investigative techniques of the more experienced authorities.
(gmcg/mb)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
