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-------------------------------------------------------------- This story was printed from ZDNet Australia. --------------------------------------------------------------
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Aust Senator throws the book at Net scammers By Andrew Colley, 0 March 19, 2002 URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Aust-Senator-throws-the-book-at-Net-scammers/0,130061744,120264123,00.htm
Senator Ian Campbell has increased pressure on Internet scam operators. The parliamentary secretary to the treasurer has revised the succinctly titled consumer publication, The Little Black Book Scams to help consumers recognise the techniques used by online frauds and avoid being swindled. Devoting several sections to Internet-borne scams, the book is designed to compliment a scam-busting Web site operated under the auspices of Campbell's Senatorial portfolio, www.scamwatch.gov.au "A split-second mouse-click can cost hundreds of dollars and endless hours of strife," reads one break-out quote under a section of the site devoted to online scams. Despite being relatively new in historical terms, Senator Campbell believes Internet frauds use some of the oldest tricks in the book. "...today's Nigerian scam, where a consumer receives a letter or an e-mail from a fictitious Nigerian exile wanting to transfer millions of dollars, is just a variation on the Spanish Prisoner scam which dates back to 1588," Campbell said. "The only difference is that the original scam used parchment and the promise of a hidden treasure chest." The book is available free of charge from the Consumer Affairs division of the Treasury.
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