An email claiming that online auction site Ebay is closing at the end of February is a phishing scam, warned IT security firm Sophos.

The email claims the site is closing because of the growing number of scams and rogue traders using it and asks people to vote on whether or not they agree with the decision.

Recipients are directed to Yes or No links and asked to verify that they are Ebay members with their username and password.

The phishing email goes on to say the site will only stay open if 50 per cent of Ebay members vote to keep it going.

However, Sophos warned that clicking on either of the voting links takes the recipient to a phishing website that poses as Ebay but is hosted on a hacked server belonging to a UK legal company.

Sophos declined to name the firm, saying it was a small outfit that had been alerted it to the problem.

Once the information has been handed over, Ebayers could find their accounts hacked into and used by cybercriminals to make fraudulent purchases or sales.

Sophos' senior technology consultant Graham Cluley said that although it isn't the most sophisticated phishing scam and may seem far-fetched, it is still likely to provide dividends to the fraudsters.

"The phishers make money out of these scams and it's a huge problem; users of Ebay and its online payment system Paypal accounted for more than 75 per cent of all phishing emails last year," he said.

"While it's unlikely that many people will believe a successful website such as Ebay is considering calling it quits, they might think it is a marketing campaign by Ebay for some other kind of promotion.

"They could click on the links just to see what happens and what may be on o ffer," he said.

The email reads:

'Dear Ebay Community:

We have decided to close Ebay on 27 February 2007 due to the repeated abuses on our company. We ask your opinion on this matter and we want to know if you agree with us or disagree. Below you can make your choice.

If you want Ebay to stay open click YES otherwise click NO .Your opinion is very important to us. If 50% of the Ebay members vote positive Ebay stays open otherwise it will be closed.

Regards,
Ebay Team'