Fake grants are being offered to recipients from a firm calling itself "Trading Standards Central UK".
Fraudsters are attempting to conduct cash scams on the general public by sending out emails under the alias of Trading Standards Central UK.
The bogus group, quite distinct from the official Trading Standards Central, has sent out emails offering fake cash grants to the recipient. The mailshot claims that Trading Standards Central UK has a pot of £1 million per year to give out to 100 lucky recipients.
Contained in the email is a list of ticket and reference numbers, which must, it is claimed, be used in order to receive the "prize".
Choosing to advertise the payments through using the Trading Standards name is especially bizarre - as Trading Standards Central offers a consumer advice service rather than grants to the public. The body has already disavowed any connection to the email.
Speaking to the BBC, Rob Gainsford at the Trading Standards Institute - the body which runs Trading Standards Central - commented: "It is particularly galling to find that they are prepared to take in vain the name of an organisation which works to protect consumers and businesses from scams and unfair practice."
While the identities of the email fraudsters have yet to be found, Mr Gainsford indicated that the body, police and the Office of Fair Trading were currently investigating the scam.
