The Star - 14 September 2006�

ACCORDING to industry sources, the government is to embark on a nationwide anti-scratch and win campaign in a few months' time to rid the country of the perennial nuisance. �

�Once it is launched, we are going after these unscrupulous people and put an end to the problem once and for all,'' said one of the source.�

He said the ministry was unable to stop them from operating currently because the Direct Selling Act did not spell out in detail how such businesses ought to be run. �

�It allows one to approach people, to market products but of course there are time limits when you can approach the public and how you market the products,'' he said. �

�Since it is not specified, this is where the abuse occurs. And, you have all sorts of gimmicks being implemented to convince people to buy,'' the source said. �

Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk S. Veerasingam said the ministry could not just revoke the licences of all businesses that use the �scratch and win� coupons as their marketing tool as genuine companies did the same. �

�Some of the companies do give out the prizes listed in the tickets without additional payments or 'tricks','' he said. �And, this is not against the law.� �

Veerasingam said the problem arose when some companies used it as a gimmick to get people to buy other products before getting their prizes.�

He said the ministry had carried out programmes to advise the public against falling prey to such tactics, but cases continued to surface.�

Veerasingam said the problem was similar to that of the �Get-Rich-Quick'' schemes which the government had repeatedly warned people to stay away from.�

�Check before you invest or make large payments and be wary because there are people trying to cheat you out there,� he said.�

He urged anyone with information on such scams to report them to the ministry's hotline at 1800-886-800.�