Scam sites selling masks and fake cures taken down

People have forwarded more than 160,000 suspicious emails to a scam-busting service, leading to 300 websites being shut down.

The Suspicious Email Reporting Service was set up two weeks ago by the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

It received 10,000 reports in just one day, after being promoted on ITV's Martin Lewis Money Show. any of the scam websites claimed to sell coronavirus tests, face masks and even vaccines.

Others were mock-ups of official government websites that tried to trick visitors into giving their payment information to scammers.

Within a short timeframe of the website service being set up, the number of scams reported and removed revealed what a vital role the public can play.

TV presenter Martin Lewis also emphasised on the importance of ‘social policing’ that focuses on building ties and working closely with members of the communities.

Lowering scam rates and protecting cyber safety is a community’s effort, and “everyone that can spot a scam must take up arms and report it, to protect those who can't."