Internet scam hits Auckland sellers

Relevant offers

Crime

Suppression ends for hit and run accused Stolen car chased through Wellington Suppression lapses for kidnap accused Schoolgirl sex video man guilty Cyclist shot, retaliates with rock New Zealand's 'biggest' P-lab busted Farm worker burst cow's eyeball with bar Gisborne stab victim named Alleged baby snatcher named Illness delays Urewera trial

An internet scam has managed to snare several victims in Auckland, police say.

Police said the scammers, probably based in England, were targeting their victims via email and offering to buy a product or service being sold on the internet.

They would then offer to pay their victim extra in travellers cheques, asking them to cash the cheques at the bank and return the excess amount by way of a Western Union Money Transfer.

However the cheques sent to the scam victims were fakes, police said.

Police said they were aware of a number of incidents where fake travellers cheques were presented at central Auckland banks over the past two days.

"All overseas travellers cheques received should be treated with suspicion and should not be accepted by members of the public as a mode of payment," police said.

Police said they would like to hear from anyone who may have received similar emails.

Anyone with information or who had received similar emails was asked to contact Sergeant Rachel Wood on 09 379 4500 or email rwg497@police.govt.nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News