Greek TV quiz show defrauded viewers of 10 million euros

Link : http://uk.news.yahoo.com/040924/323/f3a7q.html


ATHENS (AFP) - Greek police said they had arrested seven people for milking 10 million euros (12 million dollars) out of thousands of television viewers through a quiz show.

The show, "Fotofault," urged viewers to call in and win prizes by spotting the difference between two almost identical photographs shown side by side on screen.

"Viewers who appeared as taking part in the game strangely failed to spot the obvious difference," police at the northern Greek city of Salonica said.

Sensing a unique chance to win the prizes advertised, thousands of viewers rushed to take part by dialling a high-charge phone number displayed at the bottom of the screen. But the hopefuls never managed to get on the show.

"After being on hold for 15 minutes, the line was cut," police said.

Following several viewer complaints, Salonica police officers tried to take part in the show, making several phone calls worth 250 euros each -- in vain.

Two television station managers, three women from the show's production company and two presenters were arrested. They were to be brought before a prosecutor to hear charges later Friday, police said.