Weeks after the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office warned residents of a familiar scam that resurfaced locally, more county residents say they are being ripped off with fake checks.
According to reports, victims are also being targeted through online auction sites. Most recently, a Doña Ana County resident listed an antique on eBay which sold for $450. The buyer sent the seller a check for $1,350 and asked that the difference be sent back. After the victim deposited the check and mailed the difference, he learned the original check was not valid.
Similar reports have recently been filed after victims tried to sell items through a classified advertisement on Craigslist.
The online scams follow another trend this summer where victims said they had received checks in the mail that claim to be part of a cash prize. In order to claim the prize, victims are asked to send money orders to cover a processing fee, but they reportedly never receive the so-called prize money.
Since January 1, the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office has received 121 reports of fraud.