Consumer champions target cross-border fraudsters

BOGUS lotteries, fake prize-draws and sham holiday competitions will be discussed by consumer champions from across Europe who are meeting in Dublin today.

Britain’s Office of Fair Trading hosts the conference at Malahide’s Grand Hotel following new Europe-wide powers to combat fraudsters who go from country to country to fleece consumers. So-called cross-border scams mean cheats in one country rip-off consumers in another jurisdiction, knowing the chances of being caught can be slim because of lack of international co-operation. With the introduction of new Europe-wide powers, consumer bodies like the National Consumer Agency (NCA) can liaise with counterparts in other countries.

The conference is also being attended by gardaí, premium rate phone line regulator RegTel and as consumer law officials from the North, France, Gibraltar and Channel Islands.