SNP MEP, Ian Hudghton, has issued a warning to the Scottish business community to be vigilant against European-wide advertising scams.

The rip-offs, such as the European City Guide, offer free European-wide advertising to small businesses before trying to bully their victims into paying extortionate sums of money. Similar rip-off techniques are now being used by the so-called European Business Services Ltd.

Mr Hudghton has urged businesses to be wary of the bogus deals, after being contacted by a number of small businesses who innocently signed up to scam ads.

Commenting, Mr Hudghton says:

"I have heard of a number of companies, in Scotland and elsewhere, who have signed up to what they thought was a genuine advertising bargain only to be faced with scandalous bills and intimidating threats of debt collection and litigation. Legal action has been taken against fraudulent agencies such as the European City Guide, but the problem persists.

"I now have concerns that the same bullying-tactics are being used by the European Business Services Ltd, whose brochures are convincing and look authentic. I am also concerned at the fear, intimidation and downright fraud perpetuated by these advertising companies. The advice I have received from trading standards is that the threats should be ignored: the fraudsters do not pursue their threats of litigation as this will blow their cover and reveal their illegitimate activities, as well as incurring legal bills.

"I would therefore urge the Scottish business community to apply caution before signing to any freebie advertising bargains and seek the advice of the trading standards if they have suspicions. This is a grubby method of extortion and should be avoided at all costs."