Sheriff’s Office gives warning about online sales scam

The Logan County Sheriff’s Office has received several reports recently where an online sales of items has resulted in the seller being contacted by a potential buyer who wants to over-pay for an item by a large amount, with the understanding that the seller will transfer the balance to a third party via MoneyGram or GreenDot wireless transfers.

In both of these occasions, as with many other types of scams, the buyer sent a large amount of money, the seller transferred the remainder to another person, and then a couple of days goes by before the seller is informed that the buyer’s check was fraudulent.

This is commonly referred to as a “Nigerian” scam.

“Please do not fall prey to these types of scams. If you are conducting any on-line or in person sales, it is always a good idea to get certified funds, for the purchase amount only. These types of crimes are difficult to prosecute, as they cross state if not international borders with the suspects sometimes living over-seas,” Captain Richard Stephens said in a release.

Stephens goes on to say If you feel as though you have been the victim (actually lost money or property), please contact your local law enforcement to make a report. The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office also operates a Consumer Fraud Unit to assist in these investigations.