People in Lichfield and Burntwood are being warned about a new scam which sees employers offering payment via travellers’ cheques.

Police say models and drivers looking for work online in Staffordshire have been targeted.

The scammer sends a counterfeit travellers’ cheque to cover the cost of hiring a car or make-up artist, with the victim asked to deposit the cash into a beneficiary account. But the person then unwittingly becomes a ‘money mule’, meaning money gets laundered through their day to day accounts.

Det Insp Robert Harvmann of Staffordshire Police said: “This type of scam is becoming more prevalent.

“It’s a clever system as people don’t suspect anything. Because they’re being paid for work they’ve done or expenses they’ve incurred, they don’t realise there’s anything criminal happening.”

Anyone who thinks they have been a victim of this type of fraud is asked to call Action fraud on 0300 123 2042 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.