PEOPLE are being warned about an email scam targeting people selling items on the internet.
To convince Australian victims to send money overseas, online fraudsters are now using WA Police signage in emails to their victims to lend legitimacy to their scams.
In these emails, the fraudsters claim collaboration exists between PayPal and Australian Police agencies to force victims to send them money or face legal action by police.
The emails contain a large WA Police banner, a WA Police badge and the WA Police website address, which is a link to the UK Metropolitan Police website.
The emails are typically being received by victims who are trying to sell high-value items, like cars, online.
The email contains a story about why the fraudster can't collect the item and says they require the victim to send a fee ($650 to $1200) to their delivery agent overseas to arrange delivery of the item.
They then claim they cannot pay the delivery agent directly and ask the victim to pay the delivery agent via a money transfer service, advising that they will credit this extra amount into the victim's PayPal account.
The victim then receives a notification email purporting to be from PayPal, advising that the sale amount, plus the amount to be paid to the delivery agent, is being held for deposit in the victim's PayPal account.
When the victim doesn't pay this fee, they receive an email with the WA Police signage threatening legal action by Australian Police.
Anyone who receives this scam email should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.