POLICE are probing an alleged satellite TV viewing card scam which has left at least one angry Hampshire pensioner £130 out of pocket.

Two people remanded by magistrates in connection with other charges in Yorkshire are under investigation.

The allegations follow complaints from the public, including Geoff Sidwell, 60, of Lytton Road, Hythe, who replied to an advertisement for cheap subscription and paid £70 for a viewing card.

But when he installed it in his Sky decoder, the message "card invalid" appeared on the screen.

Mr Sidwell rang the firm - which has no connection with Sky TV - and was told he had to pay another £60 for an activator, which he duly did without receiving the equipment.

Detectives say other customers were told that they should have paid £160 and have sent a further £100.

Mr Sidwell said: "I cancelled my subscription to Sky because I thought I would get the service much cheaper with this viewing card offer.

"I am now left with no satellite TV because the card does not work.

"I could only contact the company on mobile phone numbers and it would only accept cheques through the post.

"When calls ceased to be answered, I wrote to the address in France where I had sent the cheques, asking what was happening.

"I received a letter from Bordeaux Messages which said it was a discreet mailing service and was not involved with the company.

"They then put me in touch with the police in Bradford because they had received other inquiries about this," said the grandfather.

Det-Con Bob Capstick of West Yorkshire CID confirmed an investigation was under -way into the firm.

He said: "Two people are charged with conspiracy to defraud in relation to separate matters and have been remanded.

"They were based in Bradford and we are looking into whether they have committed other offences by advertising satellite view-ing cards for sale.

"We have been contacted by people saying the cards are useless and that they have been asked for more money for an activator costing another £60.

"Then, when they do not receive that, these people are asked to pay another £100."

Detectives appealed to anyone who bought viewing cards to ring the Echo on 01703 337757 and we will pass on the details.

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