by ircer
Wed Jun 19, 2013 10:36 pm
This story appears on Australian 'The Age' newspaper today.
The age-old defence against scammers is a deal that seems too good to be true usually is just that, a fantasy and someone after your hard earn cash.
But the saying appears not to have stuck with at least 10 people across Australia who have each been conned $15,000, thinking they were getting a cracking deal on a motorhome worth almost five times that amount.
Victoria Police have warned people against a dodgy motorhome advertisement that has been placed in regional newspapers across three states.
It is so dodgy that the advertisement appears to have been copied from an original advertisement, which listed the vehicle, which has a NSW registration, at $50,000.
Advertisement
Police spokeswoman Adam West said similar scams have happened in the past, where someone has placed an fake advertisement in a newspaper, having ripped off the details from an authentic listing on a internet classified site like eBay.
"It looks like that is what has happened here," Senior Constable West said.
A fake phone number is listed with the advertisement so interested buyers end up making contact via the email address which is [email protected], Senior Constable West said.
Details are exchanged and the seller says that they have to return to the United Kingdom for a family emergency.
The bogus seller says the vehicle will be delivered within days after cash is sent via a bank transfer, but the motorhome never arrives.
Police inquiries have lead them to similar advertisements in three different states and at least 10 victims of the scam. "That's 10 we know of," Senior Constable West said.
Police are warning the public about the dangers of sending money overseas for items they have never seen in person.
Anyone who has been contacted or is aware of similar scams is being urged to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or http://www.crimestoppers.com.au.
I have not failed.I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
