This advertisement looks innocent enough ... but it hides a scam which has already cost a potential caravanner in Western Australia his life savings.

Scammers set sights on SA

Cunning crooks continue to con caravan bargain hunters

Rogues snare $156,000 from a dozen victims

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CUNNING crooks continue to con bargain hunters out of thousands of dollars by offering cheap caravans for sale in newspapers and web-based classifieds.

The scammers have struck all over Australia but it seems they have now set their sights on South Australia, prompting an urgent warning from the state's police.

Superintendent Jim Jeffery, who heads the Commercial Electronic Crime Branch, said the fake advertisements for used vehicles, including caravans, has recently snared 12 victims who had collectively lost $156,000.

He revealed that an analysis by the branch into one current scam showed that about a third of Australian victims lived within South Australia.

Supt Jeffery explained that victims who responded to fake advertisements were induced into forwarding money to off-shore bank accounts operated by the crooks.

"Sometimes the scammer will replicate a genuine seller’s advertisement and just change the price and contact details," he said.

The seller usually provided a "very realistic reason" why the item was being sold at below market price.

Some examples used recently included:

• They are currently overseas as result of employment transfer and they need to sell the item to finance the move; or
• They have inherited the item from an uncle, and want to get rid of it.

By attaching urgency to it, the seller aimed to rush the potential buyer into paying for the vehicle without actually seeing it.

"Fake sellers often request that payment be made through an online banking transfer or a wire transfer (telegraphic transfer) to accounts at overseas banks," Superintendent Jeffery said.

He urged people in the market for a good deal on a used vehicle:

• Not to rush into deals that seem too good to be true.
• Be wary of purchasing vehicles or large value items that they are unable to see.
• Take time to verify the vehicle's details and location.
• Avoid trading with people who want to make a sale outside the auction process.
• Avoid dealing with anyone asking for payment by wire transfer to an overseas bank.
• Never send their personal, credit card or online account details through an email.

The online SCAMwatch website, run by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, warns that newspaper frauds can target both buyers and sellers of all backgrounds, ages and income levels across Australia.

More information is available from the website at www.scamwatch.com.au or by telephoning 1300 795 995.

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