Carman area RCMP is reminding the public to be aware of fraudulent money order and money transfer scams.
Those targeted are people who have advertised items for sale online. The seller is contacted via e-mail by a prospective buyer. The “buyer” requests the mailing address of the seller, then proceeds to send (fraudulent) money orders, transfer of funds or what appears to be certified cheques to the seller. These “payments” exceed the original selling price. The seller is instructed to cash the money orders/cheques, retain the original selling price and a certain amount “for their troubles”. The seller is then instructed to wire the remaining money to the purchaser via money transfer. The seller is told that once the money is received by the purchaser, they will be contacted by a “shipper” who will pick up the items on behalf of the purchaser.
Ignore these solicitations: do not respond; do not engage in dialogue; do not give out your phone number; nor should you respond to any unsolicited e-mails with offers of jobs, vacations, free trial offers etc. Suspects have been known to contact victims by phone. They are persistent and can be quite crafty.
The most important thing to remember is that if an offer is to good to be true – it is not true.
If you require information, contact your local police.
For more information go to phonebusters.com. This is an informative website on various frauds/scams being perpetrated.
Corporal Theresa Figurski
Altona RCMP Detachment
Carman Area RCMP
204-324-5217
