HOUTZDALE – Fraudulent activity is currently under investigation in Houtzdale Borough, the Decatur Township Police Department reported Wednesday morning.
According to the report, a resident told police that he had listed an item for sale on the Internet and received an e-mail response to his advertisement. He told police that he and a buyer agreed to a purchase price via e-mail.
Police stated that the buyer then sent the man a check in excess of the agreed price. The buyer reportedly requested that the man cash the check and take out the purchase price in addition to an extra free for his trouble to do so. He requested that the man send the remainder via a wire transfer to an address in the United Kingdom.
Police stated that the man recognized the situation as a possible fraud and cancelled the transaction. They advised that this scam type has become more popular recently. They said if the man had cashed the fraudulent check, he could have been held responsible for the face value of the same as well as fees by the bank.