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5 counterfeit cons you need to know about 5 counterfeit cons you need to know about
(about 3 hours later)
Every year over three million people fall victim to scams, losing hundreds and sometimes thousands of pounds, according to Citizens Advice.Every year over three million people fall victim to scams, losing hundreds and sometimes thousands of pounds, according to Citizens Advice.
But how do you spot fake goods or services?But how do you spot fake goods or services?
Here are five counterfeit cons to look out for, as featured in the BBC One series Fake Britain.Here are five counterfeit cons to look out for, as featured in the BBC One series Fake Britain.
Nick Christophi from Hertfordshire put in an offer of £735,000 for a dream family home.Nick Christophi from Hertfordshire put in an offer of £735,000 for a dream family home.
After it had been accepted, his solicitor worked closely with a firm representing the home owner. This firm was created by fraudsters who had conned the seller, Nick and his solicitor.After it had been accepted, his solicitor worked closely with a firm representing the home owner. This firm was created by fraudsters who had conned the seller, Nick and his solicitor.
Nick and his family moved into the home but he later found out that his money was sent through to a bank account owned by the fraudsters when completing the purchase.Nick and his family moved into the home but he later found out that his money was sent through to a bank account owned by the fraudsters when completing the purchase.
He has since reclaimed two-thirds of the £735,000 stolen by the fakers, but he has lost the house.He has since reclaimed two-thirds of the £735,000 stolen by the fakers, but he has lost the house.
Lawyer David Robinson is an expert in property fraud and he has some general advice if you are thinking of buying a home:Lawyer David Robinson is an expert in property fraud and he has some general advice if you are thinking of buying a home:
Maureen Kay from Hull wanted to take eleven members of her family on holiday to Turkey.Maureen Kay from Hull wanted to take eleven members of her family on holiday to Turkey.
She booked through a High Street travel agent based in the city and paid £6,800 for the flights, hotel and transfers.She booked through a High Street travel agent based in the city and paid £6,800 for the flights, hotel and transfers.
The family printed the vouchers for their hotel, transfers, and e-tickets.The family printed the vouchers for their hotel, transfers, and e-tickets.
When they arrived at the airport they were told that the flight booking number on the e-tickets didn't exist. It was fake.When they arrived at the airport they were told that the flight booking number on the e-tickets didn't exist. It was fake.
Fake Britain featured a con which involved a number of bogus companies who promised to clear people's debts for an upfront fee.Fake Britain featured a con which involved a number of bogus companies who promised to clear people's debts for an upfront fee.
The 'company' claimed the law had been changed for credit cards which had been taken out before a certain date and they could take out refunds on them.The 'company' claimed the law had been changed for credit cards which had been taken out before a certain date and they could take out refunds on them.
In the hope of clearing debts, some paid an upfront fee of up to £3,000 to the fraudsters. In reality, there'd been no change in the law and the offer to clear the debt was fake.In the hope of clearing debts, some paid an upfront fee of up to £3,000 to the fraudsters. In reality, there'd been no change in the law and the offer to clear the debt was fake.
Colin Gooch from Birmingham unknowingly bought two bottles of fake vodka from an off-licence.Colin Gooch from Birmingham unknowingly bought two bottles of fake vodka from an off-licence.
After drinking them he found out that they were fake and dangerous, when he read a warning about them in his local newspaper.After drinking them he found out that they were fake and dangerous, when he read a warning about them in his local newspaper.
He immediately visited his doctor and had tests on his eyes, liver and other organs.He immediately visited his doctor and had tests on his eyes, liver and other organs.
So far, Colin has not shown any signs of poisoning.So far, Colin has not shown any signs of poisoning.
Fake Britain featured an investigation that was linked to 422 fake jobs adverts. These were supposedly from big-name employers and had been posted on websites that advertised recruitment opportunities. Fake Britain featured an investigation that was linked to 422 fake job adverts. These were supposedly from big-name employers and had been posted on websites that advertised recruitment opportunities.
Job seekers would click on the job application and register their interest in the post. They would get a response to their e-mail that contained a bogus link to download an application form.Job seekers would click on the job application and register their interest in the post. They would get a response to their e-mail that contained a bogus link to download an application form.
By clicking on the link they were infecting their computer with a virus. It gave criminals access to the victim's computers and details.By clicking on the link they were infecting their computer with a virus. It gave criminals access to the victim's computers and details.
Fake Britain is on BBC One weekdays at 09:15Fake Britain is on BBC One weekdays at 09:15