British police warn of tsunami online scams

LONDON: British police have warned people donating to the UK’s tsunami relief fund to be wary of scam artists trying to divert some of the million of pounds flowing to relief efforts. The scams include the sending of unsolicited e-mails asking for money to be deposited in overseas bank accounts to support relief efforts as well as false Web sites using the disaster to spread computer viruses. “We urge people to exercise vigilance in order to prevent and disrupt these and other possible criminal scams,” said a statement from the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) on Saturday. Britons have donated at least 100 million pounds ($187 million) to the Asian tsunami appeal in the country’s fastest ever charity appeal. NCIS cautioned people only to use Web sites of recognised charities and aid organisations. “We do not in any way wish to dissuade members of the public from donating money to the registered charity Tsunami appeals,” the statement added. reuters

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