Herewith a complete complaint to Etv from last Saturday night's show, to which I have not had a satisfactory reply or response. It is, by it's very nature, long:

"For your information the (encyclopaedic) definition of a 'scam' is (and I quote): cheat, rip off, chisel - deprive somebody of something by deceit; "The con-man beat me out of $50"; "This salesman ripped us off!"; "we were cheated by their, "clever-sounding scheme"; "They chiseled me out of my money"

Etv's after midnight 'show' Game Time, on Saturday after midnight (24th) was (is) nothing more than a moneymaking (fraudulent) "SCAM!".
You hoodwink the viewing participants into believing that no-one has submitted the correct answer to the so called 'riddle' on the screen and gullible people keep on sending highly expensive SMS's (R7.50 ea.) in the belief that they will get through to answer the riddle! I for instance, had the 'ANSWERS' ( B7, D3 and E8) and I spent over R150.00 of my valuable air-time over a ONE AND A HALF HOUR period, during which time the 'presenter' actually 'seduces' the viewers into (fraudulently) believing that they 'have a chance to win' with all sorts of mindless & inane 'banter' by the presenter. The "correct" answer is there! plainly obvious, for all (but a few brainless idiots) to see! And this farce continues with the presenter stupidly attempting to lead us to believe that "NOBODY HAS COME FORWARD WITH THE ANSWER THEREFORE NOBODY HAS ACTUALLY PHONED!" You also cajole viewers into believing this and increase the prize money from a certain prize (R22, 000.00) for TWO correct answers, to THREE correct answers (R25, 000.00) This bit of obvious 'bullsh*t' continues for nearly TWO HOURS! Until your 'airing-time' slot is nearing the 2am cut-off.) Suddenly, you 'pretend' that someone has finally 'got through' and in last night's case that person ("Hester") gave the answer to only "TWO" of the answers? (which were being asked for on the screen in the very EARLIER stages of the game!???) When asked by the presenter, "What about the third answer?" she replied that her call was only successful in the earlier stages?? (+ - one HOUR EARLIER!!???) SO, without realising it your (very attractive) 'presenter' this time (inadvertently) 'let the cat out of the bag, ' by asking "Hester" about the (much later) THIRD answer!? Whereapon Hester replied that she had phoned in during the earlier stages (one hour before!) and given the earlier R22, 000.00 answer!???
I feel that you people should be made to stop this blatant 'money-making fraudulent scam, ' which obviously takes advantage of the 'foolish THOUSANDS!' ( who "ATTEMPT" to phone in with the answers! (Like me!)
At one stage the presenter (obviously) after nearly two hours of, 'no-one getting through' even began to get 'bored' with her continued attempts to 'amuse' the viewers and with, 'no-one phoning in or getting through' and said things, like; "Come on Guys, who's going to give me the final answer, this is getting boring and is supposed to be an 'inter-active' game!??"" Also, right at the end of your allocated 'airing time' you 'continue to 'milk' the viewers for even MORE money with a so-called 10 minute 'final count-down' which, according to my stop-watch went on for another 20 minutes! (2 minutes between the 4th and 3rd minutes and a further 2minutes between the 3rd and 2nd etc., etc., ! Just who do you think you're kidding!!!
Sincerely yours, and I seriously suggest you have a look at this link, http://all4women.co.za/index.php?news=2058
Bob (Martin)

This is Teleact's 'Brief' (see their link below) which makes the 'object' & crookedness of your so-called 'game' blatently plain, for all to see!: (see their rather poignant 'sales-pitch' below, underlined and in red)
As they say in the classics: "Methinks the plot thickens!"
(also please note that a 'copy-pasted' copy of this mail has been lodged with the "GETCLOSURE" organisation for their analysis!

http://www.calltv.com/calltv.htm
Make your viewers (and your finance department) happy!
Our unique know-how based on 15+ years' experience in the interactive business enables us to provide efficient and affordable products and solutions to boost the profitability of our media partners. Using premium rate text messaging and telephony we offer viewers the possibility of participation and generate substantial and consistent extra revenue flows for the TV's who choose us.

In co-operation with 70+ TV channels worldwide, producing 140+ hours of live programs daily, managing a dedicated and experienced staff of over 500, you can rely on us to provide you with real value. What's more: you'll never pay us, because it is we who are going to pay you, either by buying your airtime or sharing the premium rate text messaging and call revenues.

CallTV, our unique live, interactive game format that is currently aired in more than 40 different countries is designed to generate massive revenues even in off-prime periods while providing all viewers with exciting, high-quality entertainment. The proprietary technologies we have developed for the shows give us the possibility to optimize performance based on real-time data.

Our many interactive extras and add-ons will add maximum interactivity to your existing programs and provide you with substantial extra revenues over and above the advertising income.


I have included the above 'sales-pitch' from the Malta based company, which makes it's diabolical modus operandi plain!