Hackers send hoax e-mail from MP

Ms McCarthy-Fry has reported the incident to parliamentary authorities

A Hampshire MP had her private e-mail hacked into and a hoax message sent out saying she had been robbed in Nigeria.

Contacts in Portsmouth North MP Sarah McCarthy-Fry's Hotmail address book received a message on Tuesday afternoon entitled "Emergency".

The e-mail from the Labour MP claimed that she needed thousands of pounds to get home.

But all the while Ms McCarthy-Fry was safe and taking part in a debate in the House of Commons, London.

"I didn't send the e-mail, someone has hacked into my account," she said.

"I had umpteen texts and messages from people - it must have been sent to everybody on my contacts list.

It's a scam - I just hope no-one has fallen for it. Sarah McCarthy-Fry MP

"The first text that came through said: 'I have just had a strange e-mail from you'.

"Then more came through. My husband had numerous calls from people asking if I was all right. Most people know I'm not in Nigeria."

Ms McCarthy-Fry said the scam e-mail was sent out at 1630 BST and she has since had problems accessing her Hotmail account.

She has reported the incident to parliamentary authorities and Hotmail provider Microsoft and is waiting for a response.

The backbencher said she has yet to decide whether to report the matter to the police. She added: "It's a scam - I just hope no-one has fallen for it."