POLICE have urged people to beware of internet scams after a suspicious advertisement involving a caravan.

The warning comes after reports of a woman trying to sell the Australian-registered caravan through the online Trading Post.

According to reports, a woman in the UK advertised the fully-equipped 2007 twin-axle Golf Savannah for $10,000, about $40,000 under its true value.

A member of the online Caravanners Forum sent her an email and she replied saying that the caravan was in top condition but she needed to sell it quickly because she was going through a messy divorce and needed a speedy cash settlement.

She alleged the money would be held and only released after the prospective buyer had inspected the caravan and a bill of sale completed. A similar advertisement involving a 2008 Supreme Territory allegedly appeared six weeks previously under similar circumstances.

The adverts were pulled after complaints to the Trading Post.

Detective Superintendent Brian Hay of Queensland's Crime Operations Command Fraud and Corporate Crime Group said scams did not always have to be sophisticated, just convincing.

"Every day we are seeing new scams around the world. While we are definitely seeing an increase in sophisticated scams, there are still scams out there which rely on the basic principles of fraud. They certainly don't need to be hi-tech to fleece you of money," he said.

He urged prospective buyers to "check, check and re-check".

"Do as many checks as you need to ensure what you are buying is legitimate," he said.

Det Supt Hay warned anyone about to buy a vehicle which appeared the deal of a lifetime to take a safe line.

"If it seems too good to be true, then it's a scam. If you are ever asked to send money in cash, don't do it ... get independent advice," he added.

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