Issue Date:  -  Tuesday, 29 January 2002

International 'sting' targets internet.

The ACCC, Department of Consumer and Employment Protection and the WA Office of Health Review will go on the war-path against Internet scan artists today as part of an international crack down on unscrupulous individuals and businesses who deceive online shoppers and Internet users.

"Along with about thirty other countries, we will be using high-tech equipment to sweep the Internet in order to flush out these very unprincipled operators", Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

"The ACCC and Consumer Protection work co-operatively on various projects and this would have to be among the most important, as many of the victims of Internet scams are extremely vulnerable people and the least able to afford being ripped off. We are very excited about this sweep and hope to uncover crooked operators claiming so-called miracle cures for debilitating diseases such as cancer and arthritis", Mr Walker said.

The International Marketing Supervision Network (IMSN) has been concerned for some time that the rapidly expanding access to and usage of the Internet has seen some less sophisticated consumers fall victim to predators.

One such instance was the Internet trader "Crowded Planet" who was distributing contraceptive pills without prescriptions, a highly dangerous and illegal practice in Australia. This operation was uncovered and exposed by the ACCC and A Current Affair.

"The IMSN's fostering of cross-border cooperation is a fantastic weapon for consumer protection agencies around the world to combat Internet crime. It sends a strong message to dodgy operators that we are out there and looking for them", Commissioner Walker said.

The ACCC and consumer protection bodies around Australia and the world will be "online" for International Internet Sweep Day, Tuesday 29th January 2002.

Consumer Protection in WA can be contacted by telephoning 1300 30 40 54 or logging on at www.docep.wa.gov.au