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Ingram warns of chain letter scam

Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, today warned Gippsland residents of a chain letter that is currently circulating in the area.

By Craig Ingram - 27th October 2004 - Back to News

"My office has had many enquiries from people concerned at the content of the letter," Mr Ingram said.

"The letter often has a five-cent coin attached to it and claims you can turn $218 into over $78,000 within 80 days.

"In most cases it is signed by a person claiming to be Mr David Rhodes, from Perth.

"My office has made enquiries and has been informed by Consumer and Business Affairs Victoria that this is a ‘remake’ of previous similar chain letters that have existed for some years, with minor variation.

"It requests the recipient of the letter to send money to five persons on a list and then to add their own name to number five on the list (the previous person at number one is dropped off and everybody else moves up) and forward to 200 contacts with the same instructions by making copies of the whole letter.

"I have seen people on the list from towns scattered throughout the Gippsland region.

"Besides the strong chance of you not receiving any money and being out of pocket, participants may also be subject to prosecution by Consumer Affairs Victoria as this scheme is illegal under Section 22 of the Fair Trading Act.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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