TV phone-in scam

[Shoestring]

I wonder if a new thread section should be launched dealing with the [problem] run by TV broadcasters over phone-in money-grabbing?

 

With todays Daily Mail story about GMTV [problem], the number of frauds in the TV phone-in sector now total four (that is all I can find anyway). So far as I can see no formal police investigation is being conducted. If true this is simply appalling. I have written to my MP (probably a waste of time but you never know) asking if the police are investigating and if not why not?

 

From where I'm sitting these cases (and there are undoubtedly more lurking in the shadows) are clear case of fraud and conspiracy to defraud. Both are criminal offences and the authority that should conduct an investigation are the police, not the regulatory body for the media sector.

 

Shoestring

[ManagingDirector]

Phone scams have been going around since premium rate numbers began, then shortly after on TV... its been going on for ages but the regulators refuse to regulate what they are meant to. If someone wasnt so political about exposing the blue peter one then you woudlnt have know about the rest.

 

Ofcom are investigating... ICSTIS arent?

 

Police wont investigate, police deals with people, you cant arrest a company! The regulators police the sector... who would then get the police to take action maybe, however just likely a small fine, say £200,000 .... nothing when £40m was generated - why do companies keep doing it? as the fines are pathetic! I guess it would only be £50,000 fine anyway...

[Zamzara]

Also since the decision in the Poker Club case, which ruled that a small element of skill is not enough to legalise what is mostly a game of chance, all of these phone-ins ought to be considered illegal lotteries anyway.

[Pliny the Penuriosus]

If a contestant complains that they have been defrauded then the Police will investigate

[Shoestring]

I suspect you sare correct, ManagingDirector and that the police won't investigate, and that the regulator will take years to reach a decision followed by a rap on the knuckles...

 

I'll report back when I hear from my MP.

[Pliny the Penuriosus]

They probably learnt their trade courtesy of the banks.