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UK Govt warns of e-scams

You mean that Nigerian email's a fake?

The mollycoddling UK Government has warned punters to be on their guard against e-mail, text and fax scams run by unscrupulous operators.

Thank goodness for that. And here's me thinking that poor widow from Nigeria really does want to hand me a slice of her $3m inheritance just so long as I cough up $2,000 to get the cash out of the country.

Speaking today at the launch of National Consumer week Consumer Affairs Minister, Melanie Johnson, said: "We have warned the public about the danger of postal scams, such as bogus prize draws and competitions. But people also need to bear the same warnings in mind if they use mobile phones, fax machines and e-mail.

"Every day, people throughout the UK open their mail, turn on their computers or switch on their mobile phones to learn that they've won 'an exciting prize' in a draw, lottery or some other promotion. While much of the marketing conducted in this way is legitimate, unfortunately it also includes examples, which are misleading or untrue.

"All too often those people taken in by scams make the mistake of being too trusting and lose money as a result," she said.

We can all have our wits about us now thanks to the ever-vigilant Government. ®

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