Overpayments

Cashier's or official check provided to victim who is requested to cash it and send all or part of the proceeds via Money Transfer Agent (e.g., Western Union).
This is a scheme of increasing frequency. In it, someone who is selling something usually a vehicle worth $3,000 to $7,000 is contacted by a buyer who engages in a minimum of negotiation before agreeing to pay all or nearly all of the asking price. The buyer will usually explain that he is overseas and will engage a shipping agent to transport the item. The buyer will offer to send a cashier's check to pay for the item; however, the check will be for more than the asking price. The check is higher because it is a refund, or includes other fees related to the purchase. The seller is requested to deposit or cash the check and then wire the excess funds. The wire may go to the buyer, or to the shipping agent, or to some other party.
The fraud lies in the cashier's check being counterfeit. The seller does not learn this until the wire has been made. By that time the money is no longer recoverable. Remember, sending a wire transfer is like sending cash. There is little or no opportunity to rescind the transfer, nor to trace the disbursement beyond whatever identification is presented by the wire recipient.
To avoid being a victim of this scam, be wary of someone who asks you to cash and wire funds from cashier's checks, corporate checks, or "Official" checks. It is very easy today to generate counterfeit checks with a professional appearance. Some criminals will even be able to use an "embosser" which will press the check's amount into the paper in order to provide a more believable product.
If you are inclined to cash one of these checks, contact the owner of the account and verify that they did indeed issue that specific check, for that amount, and to your name. Locate the account holder yourself do not rely on information from the buyer or on the face of the check. If the check is counterfeit, the information on it could also be fictitious.