12/03/2004
Pyramid cash schemes organisers face £5,000 fines
People who organise, promote or recruit chain-gifting schemes face up to a year in jail or a £5,000 fine, under draft legislation published today.
Schemes such as 'Hearts' and 'Women Empowering Women' currently evade rules outlawing pyramid-selling by including token gifts. They are often targeted at women and in some cases have reportedly tried to ensnare unwitting celebrities to give them credibility.
When the Bill becomes law, the new Gambling Commission will be responsible for investigating schemes and prosecuting those who organise, promote or recruit into them. People merely joining up will not have committed an offence.
Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Tessa Jowell said the schemes "are a menace and a con".
"The structure of the schemes mean nearly nine out of ten people who join up will lose their money," she said.
"At the moment they are operating on the fringes of the law, but not for much longer."
The government today published a final batch of clauses as part of the draft Gambling Bill. The Bill, which will modernise Britain's out of date gambling laws, is currently undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny by a parliamentary committee.
Other clauses published today maintain the ban on casinos and fruit machines accepting credit cards.
(gmcg)
Schemes such as 'Hearts' and 'Women Empowering Women' currently evade rules outlawing pyramid-selling by including token gifts. They are often targeted at women and in some cases have reportedly tried to ensnare unwitting celebrities to give them credibility.
When the Bill becomes law, the new Gambling Commission will be responsible for investigating schemes and prosecuting those who organise, promote or recruit into them. People merely joining up will not have committed an offence.
Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Tessa Jowell said the schemes "are a menace and a con".
"The structure of the schemes mean nearly nine out of ten people who join up will lose their money," she said.
"At the moment they are operating on the fringes of the law, but not for much longer."
The government today published a final batch of clauses as part of the draft Gambling Bill. The Bill, which will modernise Britain's out of date gambling laws, is currently undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny by a parliamentary committee.
Other clauses published today maintain the ban on casinos and fruit machines accepting credit cards.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 February 2006
OFT launches internet scam sweep
The Office of Fair Trading has launched an internet scam sweep and web chat in a bid to trap online scammers. Over the next three days, thousands of websites will be examined by consumer protection agencies from 21 countries, as well as over 20 Trading Standards departments within the UK.
OFT launches internet scam sweep
The Office of Fair Trading has launched an internet scam sweep and web chat in a bid to trap online scammers. Over the next three days, thousands of websites will be examined by consumer protection agencies from 21 countries, as well as over 20 Trading Standards departments within the UK.
19 September 2007
'No Increase' In Problem Gambling
Problem gambling has not increased over the last eight years, a report by the Gambling Commission has revealed. The report showed that there has been little change to the number of problem gamblers in Britain with around 0.6% of the adult population being affected - the same percentage as in the last gambling participation survey in 1999.
'No Increase' In Problem Gambling
Problem gambling has not increased over the last eight years, a report by the Gambling Commission has revealed. The report showed that there has been little change to the number of problem gamblers in Britain with around 0.6% of the adult population being affected - the same percentage as in the last gambling participation survey in 1999.
11 February 2015
Party Leaders Clash Over HSBC Allegations
David Cameron has been described as a "dodgy prime minister surrounded by dodgy donors", by Labour leader Ed Miliband. The party leaders have clashed in the Commons over party donations. Mr Miliband criticised the Conservatives over political donors who held Swiss bank accounts with HSBC.
Party Leaders Clash Over HSBC Allegations
David Cameron has been described as a "dodgy prime minister surrounded by dodgy donors", by Labour leader Ed Miliband. The party leaders have clashed in the Commons over party donations. Mr Miliband criticised the Conservatives over political donors who held Swiss bank accounts with HSBC.
06 August 2012
Human Rights Bid Fails Against Back-To-Work Schemes
A graduate has lost her attempt to challenge a government scheme which she said was similar to forced labour.
Human Rights Bid Fails Against Back-To-Work Schemes
A graduate has lost her attempt to challenge a government scheme which she said was similar to forced labour.
20 April 2004
Crime reduced by neighbourhood warden schemes
The government's neighbourhood warden scheme has been hailed as a success after pilot areas recorded a fall in overall crime rates of more than a quarter. The Neighbourhood Wardens Evaluation Report, published by an independent agency, examined progress in 84 areas and found that there was a 28% drop in crime.
Crime reduced by neighbourhood warden schemes
The government's neighbourhood warden scheme has been hailed as a success after pilot areas recorded a fall in overall crime rates of more than a quarter. The Neighbourhood Wardens Evaluation Report, published by an independent agency, examined progress in 84 areas and found that there was a 28% drop in crime.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.