Travellers Cheque Scam

We are still focusing on the day-job and fending off constant "bell ringers," however we were made aware of an interesting take on the good old "Hotel Refund Scam."

We were unable to find much around the interwebs on this particular version of the scam, so hopefully Google will elevate this post for others to find.

The following email that uses the apparent legitimacy of the Tourism New Zealand website was emailed to various accommodation providers yesterday:

From: Tourism New Zealand [mailto:travel@newzealand.com]
Sent: Friday, 31 December 2010 10:03 p.m.
To: xxxx
Cc: pontiuspons@yahoo.com
Subject: Contact from www.newzealand.com - Motels - xxxx

This message was sent to you from a visitor using the www.newzealand.com website site.

Message: Hello ,
please i would like to know accommodation is availability for 2 adult the date are from April 24th - April 28th, 2011. Secure the booking for me with my following information.

Name : ........ Mr Pontius and Mr Milton Address : UNIT 1B FOCUS 4, FOURTH AVENUE, LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY, HERTFORDSHIRE SG6 2TU, UNITED KINGDOM

Please kindly get back with the following information written below ....
Totals Cost Price for Duration of Stay :

Name On Travelers Check :
Contact Address To Post The Check To :
Mobile Phone Number :

Reply : pontiuspons@yahoo.com

I look forward to hearing
Pontius...

If the accommodation provider plays along, they are likely to receive fake or stolen travellers cheques for the amount of the accommodation AND any other added value items that the scammer can make the accommodation provider agree to.

The accommodation provider deposits the travellers cheques and feels the satisfying rush as their account swells by the amount banked.

And now for the sting.  The scammer requires a portion of the surplus funds to be wired to them or another third party via Western Union.

The accommodation provider wants to do the right thing and naively complies. It is often weeks later when they get a sharp shock of reality when their bank reverses the travellers cheque deposit from their account after discovering that they are worthless. Meanwhile the scammers are enjoying the flow of overseas currency while continuing to bait other hapless businesses...

...Happy New Year;-)