Businesses register domain names similar to findmadeleine.com to take advantage of the official site’s worldwide attention

Unscrupulous businesses are cashing in on the interest in the internet campaign to find Madeleine McCann by attempting to trick the millions of visitors with bogus websites.

By yesterday afternoon the Find Madeleine website, findmadeleine.com, had received more than 75 million hits in its first 48 hours, making it one of the most popular destinations on the internet. It gives details of the search for Madeleine since she was abducted from an Algarve holiday apartment 16 days ago.

However, more than 20 websites with similar names have been created in the past three days to promote businesses including chat rooms, estate agents and dating sites.