Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but when it comes to possible scams the US government is clearly in no mood for a compliment.

Officials at the US bureau of consumer protection part of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) admit they were astonished at an Internet advertisement which offered the chance to set up local "consumer protection agencies".

For a minimum investment of $6,000 (£4,300) the advert promised the chance of starting a franchise of a fictional body called the US Consumer Protection Agency. Local franchise holders would then be able to recruit businesses in their area by charging $149 initially, and an annual fee of $250.

Jodie Bernstein, director of the FRC's consumer protection bureau, said: "Just when you think you have seen it all, someone tries to scam consumers by passing themselves off as a champion of consumer protection."