Wine offer scam leaves a sour taste

HUNDREDS of people across the UK are thought to have been caught by a scam that lured them into paying for discounted wine that was never delivered.

Several national papers carried adverts earlier this year for surplusWines.co.uk, which offered "huge savings on fine wines and champagnes". Orders flowed in but no wine is thought to have been received.

The firm claimed it had been asked by a European wine supplier with stock left over after cancellations to sell it direct to the public at a significant discount. Payments for the wine have been taken from bank accounts but no cases have yet been received.

West Yorkshire police investigating the parent company of surplusWines – the Mardenis restaurant – have asked anyone who ordered through the firm to get in touch.