Police have warned of a scam emanating from a classified advert that ran in this newspaper earlier this month.

The ad offered "part-time work from home" which pays "$3,000 a month plus benefits and takes little of your time".

Detective Constable Paul Fenwick of the Fraud Unit said his office received two complaints from members of the public who answered it.

"This is a scam in which the scammer enters into an exchange of e-mails with the victim and tells the victim they have got the job," he explained.

"The victim soon receives a cheque via UPS or Federal Express and is instructed to bank the cheque, deduct ten percent as their fee, and then immediately send the rest of the money via Western Union or Moneygram to a third party overseas.

"The cheque is typically in the amount of approximately $5,000 and is a forgery. When the cheque eventually bounces, the victim is left to repay the bank."

Det. Con. Fenwick said that neither of those who complained have lost any money.

"Fortunately, both complainants reported this to Police prior to sending any money, one had received a forged cheque and one was informed a cheque was on the way via UPS," he said.

However, he is concerned that others have lost out recently through similar scams, and warned: "We strongly advise members of the public to be wary of entering into any financial transactions or arrangements with unknown third parties, involving sending cash overseas.

"The Internet is increasingly being used by scammers to commit these types of frauds and they generally prey on people at a time when they are most vulnerable.

"If in any doubt as to whether something is a scam or not, we would urge members of the public to contact the Police for advice on 295 0011. As always, if it seems too good to be true, it usually is."