A NORTH-EAST woman who fell victim to a new form of Internet scam is highlighting her case to prevent others falling in to the same trap.

Cristina Jackson, of Norton, Stockton, and her husband Ignacio Hernandez are among 400 people across the country who claim they were duped into viewing a sexy Internet video at a premium rate.

Mr Hernandez received an e-mail from a woman claiming he had advertised to meet her, which included a link to a website.

He innocently replied that she had made a mistake, although curiosity got the better of him and he took a peek at the website.

But when their phone bill arrived, the couple were shocked to discover they had been charged an extra £60 because the website was a premium rate number.

Ms Jackson said: "What I find upsetting is that the computer never told my husband he was dialling a new number. I suppose many people just don't say anything, but in my opinion, this is a kind of robbery because there was no kind of warning that a new number would be dialled and there was any kind of charge at all."

Rob Dwight, from Icstis, the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services, which regulates all phone services using premium numbers, said the couple were not alone.

The organisation is already investigating the scam and the people behind it could be fined a minimum £25,000.

He said: "This was just done to generate revenue and it is illegal for organisations not to tell people when they are being charged premium rates.

"This was very clever because it was done in a way that meant you didn't know you were dialling another number. We are working with the telephone companies to ensure that people get their money back."

Anyone who is concerned that they have been duped can call 0800 500212 for further advice.