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Internet hoax catches UK buyers
2nd August 2009

Companies pretending to be based in the UK are hoaxing consumers with promises of goods for cash.

The websites are often based in China, but use the domain name suffix: co.uk, which is assigned to the United Kingdom.

Authorities have said there could be almost 500,000 websites which appear to be, but are not, UK based.

The sites sell a range of goods from shoes to cosmetics, which are usually promised within three days.

Even if goods arrive, they are usually fake.

Source

It's like someone once said; "If it's too good to be true, then it probably is". Why people are so trusting on the internet I'll never know, people are always so willing to hand over all sorts of data without ever really thinking about it.

Nigerian Businessman anyone???

You mean the $3.5 million in an offshore account in the Gold Coast belonging to Dr. Okwembe isn't really going to be deposited into MY bank account once that measly €10,000 handling fee clears out of my hands??

And he sounded like such a nice, honest fellow too....

When I was working in Dublin for a software company that shall remain nameless; one of the team received one of those emails.

Curious, the guy started some email correspondence with Mr Nigerian business man and eventually gets a phone number out of him. So he rings it and it turns out to be a number in wait for it....... "Amsterdam"..... The number was in one of those call shop places and Mr Nigerian Business man was so happy that this guy had called him to conduct their business transaction.

Fake details were sent, with a legitimate email for correspondence but the good Dr never got back in touch...

'A fool and his money are easily parted.'