FANCY investing in world currency markets? Or, closer to home, in a time share in an Irish country house? One reader, Mr G. from Dublin recently had both investment opportunities dropped in his lap, but decided to give them both a wide berth.

The first was a mails hot sent to his 60 year old mother from a Danish investment company, which, said the attached literature "trades currencies in excess of $1.2 billion for investors in 54 countries limited risk strictly guaranteed" The company offers "free of charge" introductory offers to their guides, glossaries and four back issues of their newsletter (usual cost $100) which, insists the firm, would assist Mr G's 60 year old mother in capitalising on "these great opportunities in these exciting markets".

Overseas investment `opportunities' like these appear periodically band usually amount to nothing more than inducements to purchase costly newsletter subscriptions or investment guides. Mr G, who is in marketing himself, suspects that this Danish company bought one of any number of Irish mailing lists and simply mail shot every name however inappropriate.

In the case of the timeshare offer, Mr G. received a telephone call from a lady with an English accent telling him he had won a holiday at the Irish country house hotel in question. Her telephone sales pitch was so aggressive, he says, "that I quickly told her I wasn't interested." Mr G. suggests that "people should have their wits about them when approached by unsolicited investment opportunities.

Our recommendation is that you should only deal with a reputable independent financial adviser or company that is known to you or comes recommended from someone you know before committing yourself to any sizeable investment, whether it be stock market investment, holiday home, pension or regular savings programme.