Man charged over tsunami e-mails

The government would not inform relatives via e-mail, police say

A man has been charged in connection with hoax e-mails which were sent to relatives of people missing following the Asian tsunami.

The 40-year-old man, who was arrested on New Year's Eve, was charged on Sunday with malicious communication and causing a public nuisance.

The man, from Lincolnshire, will appear at Horseferry Road Magistrates' Court on Monday, Met Police said.

E-mails had been sent to relatives of missing Britons saying they were dead.

Relatives had been posting appeals for help on a Sky News website message board.

The government has stressed that relatives would not be informed of a death by e-mail.

The police have urged anyone wanting information about friends, relatives and loved ones to continue using the Foreign Office emergency number on 020 7008 0000.

The number is only for people in the UK who are concerned about the welfare of UK nationals they believe may have been in the affected areas, and not for those seeking travel advice.