By AP
Nashville, TN – The U-S Secret Service is warning people selling
cars not to send money to unknown individuals.
The agency reports that one scam recently detected
in Tennessee involves someone paying more than
the advertised asking price for a car listed in a
small newspaper ad.
Authorities say some buyers have sent cashier's
checks for five thousand dollars more than the
asking price. The buyer then contacts the seller and
asks that the extra five thousand dollars be returned.
A few days later, the seller finds that the original
cashier's check was counterfeit, leaving the seller
with an unclaimed car and five thousand dollars
gone.
Investigators say the rip-off artists are generally
well-organized and work their scams from overseas.