Nokia survives phoney recall

SYDNEY (ZDNet Australia)--The phone giant was hit by a false recall campaign yesterday, after a phoney 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, says the fax was widely distributed.

"It suggested it was an Asia-Pacific recall which was much bigger than we thought it was. It was more than just Australia," he said.

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.