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Nokia survives phony recall

Nokia says the perpetrators behind a hoax recall of two of its mobile phone models intended to target consumers beyond Australia. The phone giant was hit by a false recall campaign Monday after a phony press statement was circulated to the Australian media, announcing the recall of the Nokia 8210 and Nokia 8250 mobile phones "due to reception problems." The company immediately swung into action when a journalist asked for more information about the notice, which arrived by fax with the Nokia logo on it. Nokia Australia's head of corporate affairs, Anthony Wilson, said the fax was widely distributed. The company could not shed any light on a possible motive for the hoax. "Luckily we got onto it quickly and nothing got out that it was true," Wilson said. In-house legal advisors have launched an investigation. Staff writer Adrian Kerr reported from Australia.

CNET News staff
Nokia says the perpetrators behind a hoax recall of two of its mobile phone models intended to target consumers beyond Australia. The phone giant was hit by a false recall campaign Monday after a phony press statement was circulated to the Australian media, announcing the recall of the Nokia 8210 and Nokia 8250 mobile phones "due to reception problems." The company immediately swung into action when a journalist asked for more information about the notice, which arrived by fax with the Nokia logo on it. Nokia Australia's head of corporate affairs, Anthony Wilson, said the fax was widely distributed.

The company could not shed any light on a possible motive for the hoax. "Luckily we got onto it quickly and nothing got out that it was true," Wilson said. In-house legal advisors have launched an investigation.

Staff writer Adrian Kerr reported from Australia.