03 December 2009

Christmas shoppers stand a better chance of avoiding online fraud this festive season after the Metropolitan Police's Central e-Crime Unit (PCeU) took down 1,219 scam websites.

As part of Operation Papworth, the PCeU this week targeted websites run by organised criminal networks which purported to sell designer items - including Ugg Australia Boots, ghd hair straighteners, and jewellery from Tiffany & Co and Links of London. Innocent shoppers were duped into making what appeared to be bargain purchases, but received either nothing at all or counterfeit products.

Victims also ran the potential risk of the criminals stealing their identity for misuse elsewhere. The websites are thought to have generated millions of pounds for the gangs which could then be used to fund other illicit activity.

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