Some individuals will often claim they are from Scotland or another country outside the U.S. These offers usually take the form of email, but they have also been known to use TTY (relay phone for the deaf) and other means. Typically they agree to purchase a vehicle and will then forward counterfeit cashiers checks or money orders to the victim in amounts exceeding the agreed upon purchase price. The unwitting victim contacts the buyer concerning the overpayment.

The victim is usually instructed to wire funds via Western Union to Nigeria or another West African country. Funds are usually wired before the counterfeit cashiers check is returned to the bank where it was deposited. This results in vehicles being shipped without payment and the victim is out additional money spent on the wire. In every instance the bank will pass the loss back to the individual who deposited the counterfeit check.

And please remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!