12:00pm Saturday 23rd October 2010

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/8471724.Police_probe_into_travellers____cheques_scam/?ref=rss

POLICE are investigating claims that scamsters are trying to lure York people into an international money laundering ring.

The people, who replied to a job advert for mystery shoppers, were sent American Express “travellers’ cheques” to the value of $3,000 (about £2,000) and told to cash them at any bank or post office.

They were told to keep ten per cent as their wage for their first week’s work as a mystery shopper and then go to a Western Union outlet to transfer the remaining funds to an account based in Johannesburg.

They were also instructed to report back on the outlet’s procedures, security system and customer service.

But police and experts said today that the travellers’ cheques appeared to be sophisticated forgeries, and the mystery shopping jobs a ruse.

Detective Sergeant Garry Ridler, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “This has all the hallmarks of being a complex international fraud, and an attempt to involve York people in a money-laundering ring.”

He warned that anyone trying to cash false cheques would – technically - be committing money laundering, and they could also end up having to pay the bank back $3,000.

He said the scam, which he described as an “advanced fee fraud”, would be investigated and he urged anyone sent the travellers’ cheques not to bank them, but to contact police.

Colin Rumford, City of York Council’s head of Trading Standards, said: “We are aware of this incident and are liaising with the police.”

The Press, which ran one of the advertisements in good faith, understands that at least three York women have contacted police after receiving the travellers’ cheques. One of the women, who does not wish to be identified, spoke to the newspaper about her experiences in a bid to prevent others falling victim. “When the travellers’ cheques arrived, I was delighted,” she said. “It seemed like very easy money to make. They looked like genuine travellers’ cheques. But I didn’t quite understand how it would work and asked my husband. He said it smelt very funny and I rang the police.”

Press inquiries have revealed that a similar scam, again involving mystery shopper ads and travellers cheques, is being attempted on the other side of the globe.

An Australian newspaper said police there were warning anyone who had replied to a mystery shopper job scam and had been sent travellers’ cheques not to cash them, as it could be an offence to do so.

An American Express spokesman in England said today: “Our advice to people is: don’t take travellers’ cheques from people you don’t know. If you do have any concerns about travellers’ cheques and they are American Express, we have a number people can call to get some clarification. Be mindful of the scams that are happening and report any concerns to the police.”

Calls by The Press to the London telephone number given by the organisation behind the cheques went unanswered yesterday.