Police warn against caravan scam
Police are issuing a warning to members of the community following reports of a scam targeting prospective caravan and horse float buyers.
Police have seen an increase in a particular scam where advertisements are placed in local newspapers with either a caravan or horse float for sale. The seller provides an email address and a telephone number.
“Generally the advertised price is very attractive at almost half the market value. Prospective buyers are forced to communicate via email after the number they are given in the ad is never answered,” Detective Superintendent Brian Hay of the Fraud and Cyber Crime Group said.
The buyer generally finds out the seller is overseas during the email communication and explains this is due to a job transfer or similar situation. Bank account details are provided to the buyer and they are told transport of the caravan or horse float will be done by a transport company following receipt of payment.
“As is generally seen in these scams, the money is paid and the caravan never arrives. Clearly this scam won’t work if the buyer insists on seeing the caravan, rather than just an image sent via email and this is certainly one of the key elements of preventing this scam in the future. Always insist on viewing in person a purchase as big as this. With victims losing $15,000, it would certainly make sense,” Detective Superintendent Hay said.
For more information on how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud, visit www.police.qld.gov.au or www.scamwatch.gov.au
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
