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FCO warns of phishing scam

An online fraud alert has been issued by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) warning that cyber crooks are seeking to profit from the global financial crisis by stealing consumers' details through a phishing scam.

Consumers are being targeted by an email bearing the subject line 'Global economic crisis relief aid', which claims to be from foreign secretary David Miliband, the FCO said.

Recipients of the rogue email are requested to provide their personal details "so that they can receive funds from a fictitious recession relief programme fund" but doing so can lead to ID theft.

"If you receive this email please report it to your local fraud crime office or visit the Metropolitan Police website for further information," advises the FCO.

Consumers are urged not to divulge any information to such unsolicited email messages if they want to avoid being exposed to online threats and having their internet security compromised.

As well as avoiding such messages, internet users should also have proper anti-virus software and functional firewalls.

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