A Belfast hospital worker has been scammed out of 9 hundred pounds.
They lost the cash when trying to book accomodation in Amsterdam.
The consumer contacted a host on a popular website that allows property owners to rent out spare rooms.
However a bank transfer was made offsite
The Trading Standards Service says the payment has now been lost and the property was bogus.
Bill Malloy, TSS, said: “Ingenuity knows no bounds when it comes to fleecing consumers of their money.
"With the internet, scammers and victims don’t meet face to face. The scammer can be anywhere in the world.
"Do not be rushed into sending off money to someone you do not know, especially by bank transfer. As a safeguard, try and use a credit card or debit card to make payment.”
Consumers who feel that they are a victim of a scam or suspect a scam should contact Consumerline on 0300 123 6262 or alternatively log onto the Consumerline website at http://www.consumerline.org
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