CUSTOMS ISSUES SCAM WARNING
The New Zealand Customs Service is becoming concerned at the increasing amount of counterfeit bank cheques they are seizing at the border, connected to the purchase of goods over the Internet, originating out of Nigeria.
"In the last quarter (01 Jan '04 – 31 Mar '04) these counterfeit cheques have totalled more than half-a-million dollars," says Terry Brown, Customs Acting Manager Investigations.
"The people running these scams would not be doing so if they were not getting results. We want the New Zealand public to be aware of the tactics used in these scams so that they do not fall prey to these people," says Mr Brown.
"For example, the 'Purchase' scam is where a bank cheque is sent for the private purchase of an item, such as a car, being sold over the Internet. The purchaser is based offshore, and is commonly buying the item on behalf of someone.
"The seller is contacted and advised that they are expected to send the difference between the purchase price and the cheque amount, by international money transfer, to cover the shipping costs. The hope is that the person will send the money before the cheque is cleared," says Mr Brown.
Not only motor vehicle sellers have been targeted by this 'Purchase' scam. People who have been selling motorbikes, computer equipment, and even a horse have been pursued by this operation.
"Of course the majority of transactions over the Internet are genuine, however people do need to take care and be aware that not all may be as it seems when making financial transactions through this medium," says Mr Brown.
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Communications Team