The internet sweep was carried out under the auspices of the International Consumer Protection Enforcement Network (ICPEN), with the aim of preventing deceptive marketing practices internationally and tackling consumer problems connected with cross-border transactions for goods and services.
The search involved 24 enforcement agencies from 31 countries – including the OFT and some local UK trading standards departments – and identified 1,847 sites worldwide that were making misleading claims.
In the UK the majority of the 176 highlighted sites involved working from home schemes, of which there were 90. Fifty-two sites offered get-rich-quick schemes, 20 were lottery scams, fifteen were free-prize offers and four offered educational qualifications.
Among the 243 breaches of consumer protection legislation identified were breaches of advertising, e-commerce and distance selling regulations. The OFT said it and local trading standards agencies are actively pursing these sites.
Christine Wade, Director of Consumer Regulation and Enforcement at the OFT commented:
"The internet is used by fraudsters who seek to take advantage of international boundaries to avoid detection. Cross border cooperation is therefore important for combating this area of consumer detriment."
