Amazon victim of fund-raising scam
Friday, 8 December 2000 13:52Internet booksellers Amazon.com have fallen victim to a fund-raising scam by a political group associated with dissident Republican paramilitaries. The 32 County Sovereignty Movement's web page contained a link to the online retailing giants, meaning that commissions generated by anyone who clicked on the link, (3-5%), were donated to the Irish Republican Prisoners' Welfare Association.
When informed of the link, Amazon said that no payment had been made to the group and removed the 32 County Sovereignty Movement from its associates' programme. The 32 County Sovereignty Movement is regarded as the political group most closely associated with the Real IRA.
The Movement joined associates of Amazon.com from an address in Indiana last month. Amazon took no action until 'concerns' about the organisation were highlighted earlier this week. For its part the 32 County Sovereignty Movement has said that it is "committed to finding a peaceful solution to the Troubles."
