Guernsey Police Commercial Fraud and External Affairs Department

warns businesses and individuals over a money transfer scam

Guernsey Police Commercial Fraud and External Affairs Department wish to warn both businesses and individuals over a money transfer scam that can take several different forms.

The essential elements of the scam are: -

·        Someone agrees to purchase goods, or services from you.  (Perhaps hotel rooms advertised on the internet or through publications or goods for sale on an internet auction site or publications).  The usual means of contact is by email.

·        They agree to pay in advance and this will be by cheque or credit card, but pay more funds than is actually necessary.

·        One version will be that that shortly after they have arranged the payment they realise their “mistake” and ask you to refund the difference, often asking you to do so urgently.

·        Another version is payment in excess of the required fee, allegedly sent to cover ‘hire car’ costs or transportation of the item purchased.  There will still be an excess of up to several thousand pounds which you will be asked to refund via a cash transfer system such as Western Union or Moneygram to an address outside the UK.

·        Having refunded the difference, you are later notified by your bank, credit card company etc that the purchaser’s payment to you was not honoured.  You have therefore lost the “refund” you sent them

·        The person(s) seeking to obtain the goods or service often appear legitimate and may purport to represent a company.  Few clues exist that the transaction may be a scam.

Therefore you are warned to check very thoroughly with your bank that the buyer’s funds will be honoured.  Do not be hurried along by the buyer to refund any excess.

If you feel that you have been a victim of such a scam you can contact Guernsey Police Commercial Fraud and External Affairs Department on 719449 who may be able to assist.”

Further information on scams in general and how to recognise them can be obtained via http://www.oft.gov.uk/consumer/scams/default.htm